TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The new Philippines envoy in Taiwan, Corazon Padiernos, says her main task is to promote trade relations and to attract more Taiwanese investors to her country.
Before assuming her post in October, she already served on the board of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, she told CNA on Tuesday. As a board member, she promoted tourism, social participation, and trade.
Padiernos said her first job after graduating, as a flight attendant, taught her how to deal with all kinds of people. The experience was valuable when she worked her way up the diplomatic ladder later on, she said.
One of her main tasks is to promote the Philippines as an investment destination for Taiwanese businesses. She described her efforts as being in line with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) calls for a “Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor.”
As an example, Padiernos noted the visit to the Philippines last year by a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture. She also mentioned energy and tourism as areas open to bilateral cooperation.
According to official data, the Philippines has 180,000 nationals living in Taiwan, including 170,000 migrant workers. Padiernos said improving their living standards is one of her major concerns.
She has already visited migrant communities in Taichung and Kaohsiung. Problems included long working hours and excessive fees for brokers, she said.
