By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In support of the men and women at the frontlines of providing healthcare, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the role that nurses play in delivering medical services with a touch of hospitality to their assigned patients.
This, as he led the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), Inc. National Annual Convention in Pasay City on Monday, which coincided with the Association’s 104th Foundation Anniversary and the 69th Nurses’ Week Celebration.
President Marcos Jr. hailed Filipino nurses in his speech, “Whether working in our hospitals, serving communities in far-flung areas, or caring for patients abroad, Filipino nurses continue to demonstrate the skill, compassion, and professionalism for which they are known.”
The President went on to assure them of continuing support from the administration through measures such as improving nurse-to-patient ratios, filling vacant positions, and providing more opportunities for growth in their chosen profession.
Through collaborations with the Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the government remains committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce.
Among the initiatives outlined by President Marcos Jr. were as follows:
- Increased allocation for Health Emergency Allowance of public and private healthcare workers (from P6.8 billion in 2022 to over P110 billion in 2026)
- Clinical Care Associates (CCA) Program, which extends employment opportunities for nursing graduates who are yet to pass the licensure examination
- Lifting of moratorium on offering new Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in higher education institutions
- Development of enhanced 1-year master’s degree program in nursing to produce more qualified clinical instructors and educators
He wrapped up his speech by commending the PNA for continuing to advance the competence, welfare, and professional standards among Filipino nurses—at home and abroad.
The Chief Executive concluded, “We hope that more organizations will join us in this undertaking, bringing their expertise, their resources, and their commitment to a common goal of building a stronger, more responsive healthcare system.”
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