SEOUL, 2 February 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez met at the Philippine Embassy Chancery on Monday, 2 February 2015 a 15-member delegation from Leyte composed of provincial government officials and hospital administrators on a five-day educational tour of Korea.

The group, led by Marichu M. Borja, Community Affairs Officer and representative of Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Petilla, was invited by ROK Joint Support Group Commander Col. Lee Chul-won, who led more than 500-strong Araw Contingent to undertake a yearlong disaster relief and reconstruction mission in the areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan. The group played a valuable role in coordinating the rehabilitation and recovery efforts of the province with the Korean contingent, especially in the implementation of infrastructure development project to build eight hospitals in the province and other medical-related issues. Present during the call was Col. Francis Lardizabal, the Embassy’s Defense and Armed Forces Attaché, and De La Salle University alumni Sgt. Melchor Kim of the Korean Army who was designated to guide the group during the educational tour of the country, such as visits to military hospitals to observe their systems and operations.