SEN. Robinhood Padilla has vowed to push for an increase in the budget of the Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic to ensure the protection and welfare of 10,000 Filipino workers allowed to enter the country yearly.
Padilla made the promise during a post-arrival orientation seminar and consular outreach for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), where he also cited the “equal pay” policy of the Czech government.
“When it comes to your budget for 2025, I will not air any objection. I may even ask for a bigger budget for you,” the senator said.
Following the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Czech Republic last March, an agreement was forged to allow the entry of 10,000 OFWs annually.
At present, there are over 7,000 skilled OFWs who may avail of “equal pay” in the Czech Republic. They are in the processing industry, automotive, repair of appliances, manufacturing, IT communications, real estate, health or wellness, and household service work.
“We will talk to our embassy — if 10,000 Filipinos can enter the Czech Republic every year, the embassy will need more personnel. The Department of Foreign Affairs should have more people,” Padilla said.
Likewise, the senator hailed the strong ties between the Philippines and the Czech Republic as he voiced optimism the bond will continue to grow.
Padilla visited the Czech Republic from July 6 to 14 to observe how it regulates the use of medical cannabis. He said that while diplomatic ties between the two countries started on Oct. 5, 1973, the relationship goes as far back as the 19th century.
“The Philippines commits to further deepening its relationship by fostering economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and strategic partnerships with the Czech Republic,” Padilla said in a resolution, which he aims to file this week.
Padilla said it was in Litoměřice, a town that was once part of Austria, then Czechoslovakia, that Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal solidified a friendship with Ferdinand Blumentritt, a schoolmaster there.
He noted that Blumentritt played a significant role in the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonialism. Blumentritt was believed to have encouraged and even donated money for the publication of Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere,” which triggered the Filipinos’ movement for independence.
“For over 50 years, the relationship between the Filipinos and the Czechs has only grown stronger and has gone beyond the recorded ties between two historical figures,” Padilla said.
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