Manila Economic and Cultural Office

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO)^{[note 1]}, also known as the Philippine Representative Office in Taiwan, is the representative office of the Philippines in Taiwan, functioning as a de facto embassy in the absence of diplomatic relations. It is a non-stock, non-profit corporation organized under Philippine law.^[3]

Manila Economic and Cultural Office
Philippine Representative Office in Taiwan

馬尼拉經濟文化辦事處
Agency overview
Formed	1975 (as Asian Exchange Center)[1] 1989 (as Manila Economic and Cultural Office)[2]
Jurisdiction	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Headquarters	2F, Chang Hong New Era Building 55 & 57 Zhouzi Street Neihu District Taipei, Taiwan
Agency executive	Corazon Padiernos, Chairperson and Resident Representative
Website	Manila Economic and Cultural Office

The Logotype of the office

It was first established in 1975 as the Asian Exchange Center, replacing the former Philippine Embassy.^[1] In 1984, its staff acquired diplomatic privileges and immunity, as did those of its Taiwanese counterpart in Manila, then known as the Pacific Economic and Cultural Center.^[4] It adopted its present name in December 1989.^[2]

In addition to its Taipei Office, it also maintains Extension Offices in Kaohsiung and Taichung.^[5]

Its counterpart body in the Philippines is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines in Manila.^[6]

In September 2025, Corazon Padiernos was designated as Officer in Charge and Resident Representative of the office, after Cheloy Garafil was elected as Secretary General of the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

List of chair and resident representative

List of Chair and Resident Representative (1989–present):

• Rafael Alunan III (1989–1992)
• Carlos C. Salinas (1992–1995)
• Alfredo Yao (1995–2000)
• Eddie M. Garcia (2000–2005)
• Amadeo R. Perez Jr. (2005–2010)
• Antonio Basilio (2010–2016)
• Lito Banayo (2016–2022)
• Silvestre Bello III (2022–2024)
• Cheloy Garafil (2024–2025)^[7]
• Corazon Padiernos (2025–present)

See also

• Philippines–Taiwan relations
• List of diplomatic missions in Taiwan
• List of diplomatic missions of the Philippines