16 February 2025, Seoul. A forty-member delegation of local officials comprising the Albay Development Team 2 (ADT2), an association of Local Government Units of the Second District of Albay conducted their Knowledge Exchange and Benchmarking Activity in the Republic of Korea from 13 to 18 February 2025.

The ADT2 led by Mayor Carlos Irwin G. Baldo Jr. of Camalig, Albay and ADT Chairperson, received a briefing from the Embassy’s economic team spearheaded Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega together with Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, Head of the Political and Economic Section, Commercial Attaché Charmaine Mignon Yalong of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC-Seoul) and Administrative Officer John Trexy Noveros of the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT-Korea).

Mayor Baldo Jr. shared that the delegation is visiting the ROK for a knowledge exchange program in line with their plan to operate flights from Bicol to Korea, explore other tourism opportunities, establish renewable energy partnerships, exchanges in product development, and technical assistance in climate change and disaster risk reduction.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomed the delegation and presented on the overview of Philippines and Republic of Korea relations highlighting areas the ADT2 can learn from ROK as well as possible areas for exchange. She shared sectors where the ADT2 can learn from Korea such as Sustainable Tourism Development, Disaster Preparedness and Climate Resilience, Smart Agriculture and Rural Development, Heritage Conservation & Cultural Tourism Promotion, Smart Cities and Digital Innovation, and Food Tourism and Product Innovation. 

PTIC Seoul Commercial Attaché Yalong delivered a presentation on PH-ROK trade relations and highlights of the PH-ROK Free Trade Agreement while PDOT Administrative Officer Noveros shared the tourism promotion initiatives of PDOT-Korea. 

At the end of the meeting, the Albay Development Team 2 also proudly presented its 100% organic craft chocolates from Mayon Gold, which are harvested from the trees that are native in the Bicol region, specifically in the area of Mt. Mayon. Due to the perfect conditions of the area’s volcanic soil, the chocolates are flavor-rich and have higher cacao content with low-acidity, making it very healthy. These hand-crafted chocolates are certified sustainable, vegan, organic, allergen-free, palm oil-free and gluten-free for the international market to enjoy. END