The City Government of Mabalacat and Taebaek City, South Korea, signed a deal that would provide employment to residents here in South Korea as seasonal workers.

During the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Mabalacat City Hall, Mayor Geld Aquino said that the agreement would provide Mabalaqueñans a chance to work as seasonal workers in South Korea.

He added that the deal provides a legal, safe and decent livelihood for these seasonal workers.

Aquino and representatives from Taebaek City assured the living conditions of the seasonal workers from Mabalacat City during their stay at South Korea.

He also stated that the local government of Mabalacat, as well as the local government of Taebaek City, assured that the seasonal workers will receive their full compensation and will not be levied with illegal deductions.

Also included in the MOU is the clear provisions to protect the rights and welfare of the seasonal workers.

The Philippines and South Korea recently strengthened their partnership for the Korea Seasonal Workers Program (SWP), aiming to provide legal, safe, and protected opportunities for Filipino agricultural workers in South Korea through a government-to-government (G2G) system.

Recent agreements signed in late 2025 were aimed to enhance welfare, ethical recruitment, and training for Filipino workers, ensuring fair labor practices under inter-agency collaboration between Philippine departments like DMW, DA, DFA, and BI.