Marcos hopes PH will lure Czech businesses, tourists

The government is looking to lure Czech businesses and tourists to the Philippines, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Friday.

In his speech before the Filipino community in Prague to wrap up his state visit, said he saw a huge potential in the ties between the two countries.

“Hangad ko na marami tayong mahihikayat na negosyo…ng Czech Republic na magpundar ng planta sa Pilipinas o magtayo ng maintenance and repair operations hub. ‘Yun pong para sa mga eroplano,” Marcos said.

(I want to see us convince businesses in the Czech Republic to put up plants in the Philippines or put up maintenance and repair operations hub. Those are for airplanes.)

He said Filipinos are highly skilled in aircraft maintenance and repair as seen in the many Filipinos employed in airports abroad. 

Marcos said such operations in Manila are being eyed to expand up to Clark in Pampanga.

“Medyo sumisikat tayo sa ganyang klaseng trabaho,” Marcos said.

(It appears we’re becoming well-known in this kind of work.)

Marcos said he also told the Czech leaders the Philippines’ interest in improving the two countries’ cooperation in agriculture, energy, education, climate change and sustainability, transportation, aircraft and space technology.

He asked the OFWs to invite their Czech friends to visit the Philippines, see its beautiful islands, and experience Filipino warmth.

“The Philippines wants to expand our frontiers and our opportunities including and as far as the center of Europe,” Marcos said.

“This is the reason we have traveled a great distance from Manila to learn about this country, to meet its government, its people, and get to know the wonderful Filipino community,” he added.

Marcos said he was informed that the Czech wants more OFWs in its workforce.

He said the quota for OFWs had been increased to 10,300 a year from 5,000 previousky.

“Nalaman ko sa mga lider ng bansang ito na tunay na hinahangaan at pinahahalagahan ng Czech Republic ang mga OFW, at sa inyong talento, talino sa ibat-ibang larangan,” Marcos said.

(I learned from the leaders of this country that they admire in the Czech Republic the OFWs, your talent, and competence in various fields.)

“Dahil dito, nais pang mag-imbita ng Czech Republic ng mas maraming overseas Filipino workers upang punuin ang kanilang kakulangan sa kanilang manggagawa  iba’t ibang industriya, sa manufacturing, sa transportasyon, sa health care. At iginiit ko sa pamahalaan ng Czech ang protection naman at seguridad ng mga OFW,” he added.

(Because of this, the Czech Republic wants more overseas Filipino workers to fill their requirements for workers in the different industries, in manufacturing, in transportation, in health care. And I stressed to the Czech government the protection and security of OFWs.) —NB, GMA Integrated News