Mandatory 2-year domestic service for professionals sought

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino registered professionals will be required to render at least two years service within the country prior to any employment abroad under this bill filed in the House of Representatives. Authored by Rep. Ignacio T. Arroyo (5th District, Negros Occidental), House Bill No. 4580 seeks to safeguard the country's health care system and abate the trend of workers seeking foreign employment while authorities are in the process of crafting the development plans for Filipino registered nurses. Citing reports of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Arroyo said there are at least 16,124 Filipino registered nurses who have left to work in other countries from 1996 to 2002. "The rampant number of Filipino registered professionals aiming for high-paying employment abroad is very alarming," Arroyo said. "There is even the alarming possibility that in a decade, more of our hospitals, clinics and even the teaching staff of the colleges and universities may be emptied of competent professionals if no appropriate measures can be undertaken," Arroyo added. Arroyo also quoted reports from the Philippine Nurses Association that an estimated 40,000 Filipino nurses are now working abroad. "There are 7,000 to 10,000 Filipino nurses who leave the country for jobs abroad," Arroyo said. Arroyo warned that, "if this trend continues, a gap in nursing services in local hospitals and clinics might happen, for it usually takes years of experience for one to become conversant and knowledgeable in the field of nursing." Much as we gain financially due to dollar remittances, on the other side, our health care system is greatly affected and may even collapse," Arroyo added. Latest reports, however, said the slowdown in hiring of nurses from the US and United Kingdom has resulted in a glut, with thousands of licensed nurses currently unemployed. - GMANews.TV