Philippines to sign maritime, labor deals with Germany

BERLIN – President Marcos arrived here early yesterday (Manila time), commencing his five-day visit to Germany and the Czech Republic, which is aimed at strengthening ties between the Philippines and the two European countries in various fields including maritime, labor and people-to-people exchanges.

Chartered flight PR001, carrying Marcos and his delegation, landed at the Brandenburg International Airport at 4:49 a.m. yesterday (Manila time). Berlin is seven hours behind Manila.

The President and First Lady Liza Marcos were welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Germany Irene Susan Natividad and embassy officials.

Marcos was expected to be accorded arrival honors at the Chancellery grounds at 6:30 p.m. (Manila time). He was then scheduled to have a closed door meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Chancellor’s Office and a joint press conference with his counterpart, also at the same venue, at 8 p.m. (Manila time).

During the two leaders’ meeting, several agreements would be signed between the two governments, including the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Strengthening Maritime Cooperation and the Cooperation Program between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).

Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre of the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of European Affairs earlier said the JDI seeks to facilitate maritime trade and mobility of Philippine and German-owned commercial vessels.

Algabre added that the deal is expected to significantly benefit Filipino seafarers.

Germany’s dual system of vocational education and training is highly recognized worldwide due to its combination of theory in the classroom and training in a real-life work environment, according to the country’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Marcos had earlier directed TESDA, the Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Employment to work closely with industries in the integration of skills training into the K-12 curriculum to increase the employability of senior high school graduates.

In a speech before departing Manila on Monday, the President said