For many decades, Filipinos have been going to Taiwan for work as well as travel purposes. To help promote and protect the rights and interests of Filipinos in this neighboring country, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) was established.
Basically, MECO is the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan. It performs consular functions, such as passport and visa services, providing assistance to Filipinos, and more. The office also serves as the coordinator of all Philippine activities related to Taiwan.
What is MECO?
When the Philippines recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government of China in 1975, the country “formally” ended diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and the Philippine Embassy in the country ceased to exist. Nevertheless, people-to-people relations between the two countries continued, with the non-stock, non-profit organization Far East Trade Promotion Center — later known as the Asian Exchange Center, Inc. — becoming the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan.
In 1993, the Asian Exchange Center, Inc. was transformed into the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), a non-profit organization, incorporated under the laws of the Philippines. Since then, MECO has been serving as the link between Taiwan and the Philippines. The main office is based in the capital, Taipei, with extension offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung, respectively.
Notably, MECO has a counterpart body in the Philippines: the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, which is located in Makati City
Vision and Mission
According to its official website, MECO is envisioned to be “a model for Philippine foreign establishment, able to pursue its mandate and perform its functions efficiently and effectively, while maintaining its financial soundness.”
Correspondingly, the mission of MECO is “to sustain and enhance mutually beneficial relationships between the economies and societies of the Philippines and Taiwan, strengthened through active cooperation and increased exchanges.” The MECO firmly believes that strong ties between the people of Taiwan and the Philippines will mean better lives for the Filipinos [and the Taiwanese, too].
Functions of MECO
Also based on its official website, the specific functions of MECO are as follows:
- To formulate and implement a program that will attract and promote investments from Taiwan to Philippine industries and businesses, especially in the fields of manufacturing, tourism, construction and other preferred areas of investments;
- To promote the export of Philippine products and Filipino manpower services, including Philippine management services, to Taiwan;
- To negotiate and/or assist in the negotiation and conclusion of agreements or other arrangements related to trade, investment, economic cooperation, technology transfer, banking and finance, scientific, cultural, educational and other modes of cooperative endeavors between the Philippines and Taiwan, on a people-to-people basis, in accordance with established rules and regulations;
- To report and identify employment and business opportunities in Taiwan for the promotion of Philippine exports, manpower and management services, and tourism;
- To disseminate in Taiwan information on the Philippines, especially in the fields of trade, tourism, labor, economic cooperation, and cultural, educational and scientific endeavors;
- To conduct periodic assessment of market conditions in Taiwan, including the submission of trade statistics and commercial reports for use of Philippine industries and businesses; and
- To facilitate, foster, and cultivate cultural, sports, social, and educational exchanges between the people of the Philippines and Taiwan.
Services Provided by MECO
MECO provides visa services, passport services, notarial services, and assistance to Philippine nationals in Taiwan.
Visa Services
Some nationalities do not need a visa to enter the Philippines. Check out this list of countries whose nationals are eligible to enter the country without a visa. However, some foreign nationals may need a visa before entering the Philippines. To these foreign nationals, MECO provides the following visa services, in coordination with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA):
- Single-Entry Individual Visa. This visa permits the holder one (1) entry to the Philippines. Valid for three (3) months, it allows the holder to stay for up to a maximum of 59 days in the Philippines.
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System. This system caters to Taiwan passport holders. Valid for 30 days, the ETA allows the holder to enter the Philippines multiple times during its validity.
- Multiple-Entry Visa. This visa permits the holder to enter the Philippines more than once during its validity. The holder can stay for up to 59 days in the Philippines for every visit.
- Transit Visa. This applies to travelers who need to pass through Philippine immigration during a “stopover” before going to another country. Valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, the visa permits the holder to stay in the Philippines for up to 72 hours.
- Group Visa (Single-Entry). Available to accredited Taiwanese travel agents, this visa is given to those who are part of group tour packages to the Philippines. Valid for three (3) months from the date of issuance, it allows visa holders to stay for up to a maximum of 59 days in the Philippines.
- Seaman’s Visa/Crew List Visa. This visa is issued to foreign nationals who intend to sign on or sign off a vessel in the Philippines.
Passport Services
MECO provides passport services to Filipino Citizens in Taiwan. These include the issuance of passports to first time/new applicants, passport renewal (for adults and minors), and passport replacement (in the case of lost or mutilated passports).
For those who are planning to renew, replace, or apply for a passport, please note that passport applications at MECO are strictly by appointment. Visit this link to set an appointment.
Notarial Services
Aside from passport and visa services, MECO also provides notarial and authentication services. It notarizes documents such as affidavits (for submission to offices in the Philippines), Special Powers of Attorney (SPAs), certification of passports, and so on. Likewise, MECO authenticates documents that have been issued in Taiwan, as these may require authentication by government authorities, firms, and/or individuals in the Philippines.
In addition, MECO facilitates reports of birth, marriage, and reports of death of Filipino citizens in Taiwan. It provides verification of Philippine driver’s licenses, and translation of Taiwanese driver’s licenses. With regard to citizenship, the office also facilitates renunciation and re-acquisition/retention of Philippine citizenship.
Assistance to Nationals
Similar to Philippine embassies and consulates around the world, MECO has an Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Section that provides support to overseas Filipinos who need medical assistance, legal assistance, repatriation, and other forms of assistance.
Furthermore, other services provided by MECO are: overseas voting; police clearance application (for Filipinos who have previously resided in Taiwan and returned to the Philippines); travel documents (for those who urgently need to travel but do not have a regular passport); video conference court hearing (for cases where the people involved cannot physically appear in a Philippine court).
Video: MECO Holds Lecture on Social Media Use
From time to time, MECO conducts “MECOlive,” featuring lectures or talks about various topics. Recently, they held a lecture titled “Responsible Use of Social Media in Connection with Cyber Lybel.” Watch the video of this lecture below:
Contact Information: MECO
If you have any questions or concerns for MECO, you can get in touch with their office through these contact details:
Address: 2F, Chang Hong New Era Building, 55 & 57 Zhouzi St., Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan
Telephone: +886 2 2658 8825
Website: https://www.meco.org.tw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MECO.official
Google Map: