PRAGUE: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday capped off his three-day state visit to the Czech Republic by meeting Filipino workers here.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos, was warmly welcomed by the members of the Filipino community at Clarion Congress Hotel here in Prague.
The Czech Republic is second home to 7,026 Filipinos working in the processing industry, automotive, repairs and appliances, manufacturing, information technology communications, real estate, health/wellness, and household service work.
Started in 2018, Czech's economic migration program allows for the entry and stay of Filipino workers in the country on a year quota: 1,000 Filipino workers per year from 2018; 2,000 per year from 2021; 2,500 per year from November 2022; and 5,500 per year from January 2024.
The Czech government announced the further increase in the quota for Filipino workers as follows: 5,500 per year beginning January 2024 and 10,300 per year beginning May 2024 – more than 900 percent increase from the initial quota of 1,000 per year in 2018.
Speaking to reporters here, Marcos described his visit to Prague as "productive" as he was able to meet with Czech President Petr Pavel and other top officials of the Czech government.
The President said he also had a meeting with the Czech companies where he invited them to come into the Philippines "to make serious capital investments."
"We discovered many other things that have potential. I will not say that this will definitely happen but there is potential for a partnership between the Philippines and the Czech Republic," Marcos said in English and Filipino.
"So, I'm very happy to say that the little time spent here in Prague has been quite productive. And of course it is really a real pleasure to be in this city. It's such a beautiful city. I think you've seen it, it's like walking around a fairytale town," he added.
The President and his entire delegation left Prague on Friday evening, and are expected to arrive in Manila on Saturday afternoon.
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