MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now on the second half of his two-country Central Europe visit, arriving in Czech Republic early Thursday after a three-day productive and successful working trip in Germany. The plane carrying Marcos, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and other members of the Philippine delegation landed at Vaclav Havel International Airport in Prague at 5:43 p.m. Wednesday (12:43 a.m. Thursday, Manila time), the Presidential Communications Office said. While in Prague, Marcos will meet Czech Republic President Petr Pavel and three other constitutional heads, which include Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and the heads of the Czech Parliament -- Senate President Miloš Vystrcil and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová. A Joint Communiqué on the establishment of labor consultation mechanisms to ensure the safe and orderly migration of Filipino workers and provide a higher level of protection of their rights and welfare is expected to be signed during Marcos' v isit. The President's four-day state visit is through the invitation of Pavel, and is in line with the commemoration of the 50th bilateral ties between the Philippines and Czech Republic since its establishment on October 5, 1973. Productive Germany visit Before leaving Berlin, President Marcos reported a 'productive outcome' of his three-day working visit to Germany, citing its economic and political impact as well as its importance to the country's regional competitiveness and economic transformation. The President said. his bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz covered issues concerning both countries, as well as the situation in Ukraine and the German leader's upcoming visit to Russia and China. Marcos said he is expecting good results from Scholz visits for securing peace in Eastern Europe and stability in the South China Sea. The Chief Executive also reported about his fruitful discussions with top officials of German corporations, such as Bosch, Siemens, Airbus, and Lufthansa Techn ik, who have expressed their intentions to continue investing in the Philippines. 'It's encouraging because once again - all of these different entities seemed to be confident in the Philippines economic condition,' Marcos said, noting some of the German firms are already operating in the Philippines, and would want to expand their operations in the country. 'And that is manifested by the fact that they are preparing to invest further and whatever. If they have production already, if they have already an operation in the Philippines, they tend to expand. So, we will follow on this and again, try to define government's role in the transformation process that we went through,' he added. Source: Philippines News Agency Surin, Minister of Commerce Led a team to inspect rice quality for the 10-year old rice pledging project in Surin Province. Found 145,590 sacks still of good quality. Prepared to consult with the NCB to quickly find a way to drain the matter to preserve the benefits of the entire state and clear up problems for all parties. Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, revealed that due to receiving a letter of complaint from the Thai Agricultural Product Inspection Business Association. which was affected by accusations that the rice in the rice pledging program was not stored up to standard and was found to be of deteriorated quality to the point that it could not be sold for human consumption. He took the opportunity to inspect government officials in the areas of Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchaburi provinces to inspect the warehouse where rice in the project has been stored for 10 years at the warehouse. Poonphon Trading Co., Ltd., behind 4 Muang District, and Kittichai Wareho use, behind 2, Prasat District, Surin Province. Separated into warehouse Poonphon Trading Co., Ltd., Building No. 4, has 32,879 sacks of rice remaining, and Kittichai Warehouse No. 2 has 112,711 sacks of rice remaining, totaling 145,590 sacks. And after inspection which has a private warehouse owner Provincial Commerce Officer, OCSC, all three of whom hold the keys to open the warehouse. along with the director and senior executives of the Ministry of Commerce Participated in the rice quality inspection this time. It was found that the rice stored in the warehouse was still of good quality. 'We took a sample of rice from a sack. Come out and try cooking and tasting. The quality of the cooked rice is still good and can be eaten. I think the problem should be solved quickly. Because during this time The price of rice is quite good. If you rush to sell, drain it out. It will preserve the interests of the state and clear up problems for all parties. This matter will be brought to the meeting of Rice Policy and M anagement Committee (NRCT) because if we don't act quickly today, the longer the price of rice falls, the worse it will be. You will have to pay a lot of rent for the course costs. It is considered that we have come together to solve the problem,' Mr. Phumtham said. Source: Thai News Agency
