BUSAN, South Korea — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. brought good news to Filipinos living in South Korea: a Philippine Consular Office will soon open in Busan to make government services more accessible to overseas Filipinos.
Speaking before hundreds of cheering Filipinos during a meet and greet in Busan, the President assured the crowd that their government has not forgotten them.
“My fellow Filipinos, I want to assure you — hindi kayo namin nakakalimutan,” Marcos said, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.
“Because of your hard work and dedication to our country, I am happy to announce that in the coming months, the Department of Foreign Affairs will begin preparations for the opening of our Consulate here in Busan.”
The announcement drew loud applause from the audience, many of whom had long been hoping for easier access to Philippine government services without the need to travel all the way to Seoul.
Once the Philippine Consulate General in Busan opens, Filipinos will be able to renew passports, submit civil registry documents, and process legal papers closer to where they live and work.
Marcos also shared another piece of good news — a Social Security System (SSS) office will soon be established in Seoul to further assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Mapapadali na po ang pag-aasikaso ng mga benepisyo at serbisyo mula sa SSS — tulad ng membership, contributions, at claims — nang hindi na kailangang umuwi pa sa Pilipinas,” he said.
According to the Korean Immigration Service, there are currently around 70,200 Filipino workers residing in South Korea, many of whom are based in Busan and nearby provinces.
During his remarks, Marcos also highlighted the Philippines’ growing role on the global stage, noting the country’s active participation in the 2025 APEC Summit.
“We stand ready to work with our neighbors to ensure progress is shared, and no Filipino is left behind,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese Fernandez shared that the President’s key message to world leaders is clear — the Philippines is ready and reliable when it comes to partnerships and investments.
“We are ready for investors — but more importantly, we are reliable partners. We can meet the demands of global businesses,” Fernandez added.
For the thousands of Filipinos in South Korea, the new consular office in Busan is more than just a government building — it’s a sign that home isn’t too far away after all.
