GOVPH

Cebu Pacific-Shanghai Office calls on PCG; welcomes launch of PH e-Visa

SHANGHAI – Shared confidence in a steady uptick in Chinese inbound tourism to the Philippines reigned during the latest courtesy call of Cebu Pacific Airlines’ Shanghai Office on the Consulate General in Shanghai on 13 September.

Meeting Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes and DOT-Shanghai Administrative Officer Ghienel S. Gustilo were the airline’s Shanghai Representative Office Sales Manager Ms. Kelly Tao, Sales Supervisor Mr. Sam NI, and General Sales Agent Mr. Bruce BIAN.

Cebu Pacific updated the PCG and PDOT on the ongoing recovery of Cebu Pacific’s multiple connections to Mainland China since the latter’s re-opening to normal travel early this year. The airline thanked the Consulate General in Shanghai, which sees the highest visa issuance numbers in the Mainland, for its strong support for efforts to promote Chinese travel to the Philippines,

Cebu Pacific also welcomed the Philippine Government’s revival of the Tour Group visa in Spring and more recently, the introduction of its electronic visa. Both were piloted in Shanghai. The PCG issued the first revived Chinese Tour Group Visa in April. In August, it also issued the Philippines’ historic first e-Visa. The first e-Visa travelers to the Philippines arrived on 02 September.

The two sides exchanged views on Chinese leisure travel trends and forecasts. Cebu Pacific committed to support the Philippines’ tourism promotion drives in the Yangtze River Delta area. 

The Philippines is one of the preferred Southeast Asian destinations for Chinese travelers. In 2018 and 2019, over 1.2 million and 1.7 million Chinese tourists, respectively, trooped to the Philippines. END

PCG-Shanghai represents at Gender & Development Training of Philippine Overseas Missions

Bangkok, Thailand – The Department of Foreign Affairs recently provided focused training for Philippine diplomats assigned to overseas missions in the Asia-Pacific, on the promotion of “Gender and Development” (GAD) objectives.

The Regional Training on GAD was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 22-25 August 2023, to strengthen the institutional capacities and competencies of individual missions’ GAD Focal Point Officers (GFPO)

The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai was represented by its Cultural Officer and GFPO, Ms. Jeannie F. Petrola, who joined over 20 other GFPOs and officials from DFA-Manila at the event.

The training covered all key aspects of GAD promotion, such as the key concepts, GFPO system, the DFA’s GAD objectives, project planning and budgeting, gender sensitivity, gender-fair language, sexual harassment prevention and case administration, violence against women (VAW), and GAD as applied to the DFA’s assistance-to-nationals mandate.

In the interactive discussions and group activities, Ms. Petrola offered Shanghai PCG’s assessment and perspectives on GAD concerns of relevance to Filipinos residing in the financial capital, as well as the larger Yangtze River Delta Area. She also provided a survey of local laws, regulations and ordinances dealing with women’s rights and comprehensive advancement.

Shanghai PCG accords due importance to its own GAD program, and regularly undertakes GAD activities throughout the year, especially during Women’s Month in March and the 18-Day Campaign to end VAW. END

PCG factory visit to Liwayway (Oishi) spotlights reinforcing role of business in PH-China Ties

SHANGHAI – Consul General Josel F. Ignacio led the three-agency Philippine Country Team in Shanghai on a visit to the Shanghai headquarters of Filipino food giant Liwayway China Co. Ltd., in Qingpu District on 19 August.

In China and other parts of Asia and Africa, Liwayway is synonymous with the highly popular Oishi and Shanghaojia snack lines.

Liwayway China Chairman Mr. Larry A. Chan led the company’s Filipino staff in warmly receiving personnel of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG), the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), and the Philippine Department of Tourism Office (PDOT).

The affable and highly esteemed executive personally led the factory and office walkthrough. The tour showcases Liwayway’s highly automated and state-of-the-art snack manufacturing processes, many self-developed, which are optimized for its multiple product lines.

A sit-down briefing followed, delving on the corporate history of Liwayway, including its venture in China in the 1990s, as well as its many laudable CSR activities which have been geared towards promoting mutual appreciation and amity between the Philippines and China.

Known in China as Oishi-Shanghaojia (上好佳), the company’s early entry in the early days of Shanghai’s “opening up and reform” earned it an important foothold in the psyche of Chinese consumers. Love for the Oishi-Shanghaojia brand is such that it won official recognition as “Shanghai Famous Brand” and “Shanghai Famous Trademark” in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

Liwayway now has an extensive network of factories and distributors across China. These are the spearhead of the company’s overseas expansion into Southeast and South Asia, Africa and Central Asia.

Liwayway has been one of the staunchest supporters and promoters of Philippines-China ties, sister city relationships, and the PCG’s activities and initiatives.

During the Great Shanghai COVID-19 lockdown in April-May 2022, Liwayway contributed goods and logistical support for the PCG’s “Ayuda” drive that provided generous emergency food packages to 535 Filipinos running short on provisions.

Attesting to their contributions, family patriarch Mr. Carlos Chan and current President Larry have both earned the city’s prestigious Magnolia Award and have been conferred the title of “Honorary Shanghai Citizen”.

Light reflecting off the good repute of Liwayway helps illuminate and grow Philippines-China friendship”, said Consul General Ignacio. “The PCG celebrates Liwayway’s successes and will lend its utmost support under its economic diplomacy mandate”. END