Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairwoman and Resident Representative Corazon Padiernos said her priorities are safeguarding the well-being of Philippine workers in Taiwan and deepening economic ties between the two nations.
Padiernos was named the resident representative of MECO in October last year.
She said in an interview on Tuesday last week that her top priority is to “make sure that our OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] are well taken care of.”
Photo: CNA
MECO, which represents Manila’s interests in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, provides services to more than 180,000 Philippine nationals residing in Taiwan, including about 173,000 migrant workers in blue-collar jobs, according to data from Taiwan.
The “No. 1” directive from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is to “take care of” Filipinos in Taiwan, Padiernos said, adding that she has visited Philippine communities in the Taipei area as well as in Taichung and Kaohsiung since taking office late last year.
During those visits, Padiernos said she heard concerns from women working as caregivers — especially those caring for older people — about long hours and inadequate rest.
Live-in migrant caregivers are not covered by the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法) and are not entitled to the weekly “one fixed day off and one rest day.”
The demanding schedules can take a toll on caregivers’ well-being and, in turn, affect the quality of care they provide, she said.
“If you keep taking care of somebody 24/7 and you don’t take care of yourself, you will not be able to give good service to that person,” she said.
Padiernos said she hopes to raise such concerns by “talking to the correct department,” but did not specify which Taiwanese authorities she plans to approach.
While saying she is “not privy” to discuss cross-strait relations, Padiernos briefly touched on disaster response, urging Filipinos in Taiwan to check MECO’s Facebook page for the latest updates and guidance during emergencies, such as natural disasters or national security situations.
She underlined the importance of Philippine nationals registering their contact details with MECO, saying that “we would know how to reach you” in the event of a disaster or an emergency.
Another top priority assigned by Marcos is to “strengthen the economic ties with Taiwan,” Padiernos said.
According to MECO, the Philippines is encouraging Taiwanese investment in artificial intelligence, data centers, and information and communication technology, as well as in advanced manufacturing and industrial development, such as electronics and semiconductors.
Taiwan was the fifth-largest source of foreign investment from January to October last year, with total investments reaching US$50 million, up from seventh in 2024, when investments totaled US$8.6 million, the office said.
Padiernos, who joined MECO’s board of directors to oversee tourism in 2023, said she intends to continue promoting tourism to the Philippines in her new role.
Padiernos said she is keen to promote lesser-known destinations, including the waterfalls and forests in her home province of La Union on the island of Luzon.
Many Taiwanese know about the beaches, but they are less familiar with other areas in the Philippines, she said, adding that she hopes to introduce Taiwanese to destinations beyond well-known spots such as Palawan.
The MECO head still has plenty of work ahead, as the number of Taiwanese traveling to the Philippines totaled 234,043 last year, only 8,327 more than in 2024, despite the Philippines granting Taiwanese passport holders visa-free entry for stays of up to 14 days starting last year, according to Tourism Administration data.
With 130 flights per week between Taiwan and the Philippines, Padiernos said her office is looking to boost tourism by increasing flight connectivity, adding that connections can help attract investment.
She said that she is “looking forward to more people-to-people connection[s] between Taiwan and the Philippines.”
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