Caring for Filipino nurses

 BY SENATOR FRANCIS TOLENTINO

  

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This might be a bold claim, but there is great reason to believe that Filipino nurses are the most sought-after health care professionals in the world. In many European countries, in the United States, Middle East, Japan, Australia, and several other countries worldwide, Filipino nurses are most loved by both patients and employers not only because of their proficiency in the English language, their competencies and their work ethic, but more so for the Filipino brand of nursing service which, more often than not, extends the “extra mile” in compassionately caring for their patients, especially those already in their twilight chapters.

Recognized for their contribution to the United Kingdom’s response to the coronavirus, Filipino nurses Charito Romano and Minnie Klepacz were awarded the British Empire Medal in 2021. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II even wrote in a message to then President Rodrigo Duterte her commendation on the services of Filipino nurses in UK, saying: “They bring exceptional care and comfort to their patients. I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for their work, especially in response to the coronavirus.” Elsewhere in the world, Filipino nurses continue to shine, giving not only the basic health care which patients need, but sharing as well a part of themselves to offer compassion, comfort and care.

There are actually 951,905 registered Filipino nurses, according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Out of this number, only 509,297 or 53.55 percent are in actual practice. Added to this, an estimated 19,000 Filipino nurses migrate every year to other countries which offer more substantial pay and incentive  packages as well as opportunities for permanent residency for them and their families. Who wouldn’t be lured by the chance of living better lives in better countries? The exodus of Filipino medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, continue to threaten the Philippine health care system. Unless the Department of Health can offer commensurable options, then we can only watch helplessly as our doctors and nurses flee.

I think it is utterly unfair for Filipino nurses choosing to work abroad to be labelled ungrateful or unpatriotic. If comparable opportunities can only be made available for them here, I am sure they would not decide to leave home. With costs of living rising disproportionately with work pay and incentives, we cannot blame the likes of Filipino nurses seeking broader and brighter horizons. The current shortage of nurses is at a high of about 106,000. While legislation to advance the welfare and interest of our health care professionals are well underway, their flight continues. Recognizing the valuable contribution of Filipino nurses in sustaining the Philippine health care system may not be enough. Until these professionals can clearly see a brighter ray of hope for them in their home country, they will continue to sacrifice being away from their families if that will mean better opportunities to give their loved ones better lives.

Senator backs bringing WPS case vs China to UN

By: Marlon Ramos - Reporter / @MRamosINQ

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Tolentino on Sunday supported the proposal of retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio for the Marcos administration to bring China’s bullying and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“I think Carpio is right [when he suggested] to elevate this to the consciousness of the member states of the [UNGA] since China has been disregarding the arbitral ruling,” Tolentino said in a recorded interview with radio station dzBB.

He was referring to the Philippines’ 2016 landmark victory in the arbitration court in The Hague that voided Beijing’s so-called “nine-dash line” claiming nearly the entire South China Sea.

Tolentino, who has a master’s degree in public international law, is vice chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, which is headed by Sen. Imee Marcos.

“There’s nothing wrong with [Carpio’s suggestion] as it will really make this an international issue,” he said.

In line with that recommendation, Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution on June 19 calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to seek UNGA’s action in putting an end to China’s harassment of Philippine vessels within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

‘Coastal states’

Carpio, who has been the leading voice in the country’s territorial dispute with China, had earlier said that the Philippine government must file a resolution in the UNGA to compel Beijing to respect the arbitral ruling.

“That will be put to a vote. I think we will win there,” he said in an online forum on May 30.

“Remember,” he added, “the majority of the members of the [General Assembly] are coastal states. They are afraid that their big neighbors might seize their exclusive economic zones.”

Fishermen’s plight

According to Tolentino, the move would also bring to light the situation of ordinary Filipino fishermen who have been forced to stay clear of fishing grounds within the country’s EEZ due to the illegal presence of Chinese patrol vessels.

Asked about the possibility of the UNGA ruling in favor of the Philippines, Tolentino said it was up to the DFA and the country’s representative to the international body.

“It depends on how our representative in the UNGA would explain the issue,” the senator said.

“But we have all the documents, not just the arbitral ruling, but also [the reports on] the bullying and other violations that China has been committing in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

In a separate interview on Sunday, Hontiveros said she was “inspired” by Carpio’s proposal in filing Senate Resolution No. 659, which, she added, also honored the legacy of the late Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, who had spoken out against China’s trespassing Philippine waters.

“It’s also based on my belief that the UN must be able to tell China to ‘stop what you’re doing and start behaving properly,’” Hontiveros said.

While a decision by UNGA may not be legally binding, it would bring “meaningful political weight” to China’s future actions, she pointed out further.

Furthermore, UNGA’s action may help shape the “international norms and national policies of member nations” and guide the directions of other international bodies such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, she said.

Local holidays

by Senator Francis Tolentino

‘TOL VIEWS

Senator Francis Tolentino

Many studies have actually proven that travel, leisure and recreation is a vital human activity that is not only beneficial to human health and wellness but is likewise essential to establishing a vibrant and sustainable economy.  The restrictions on people’s mobility during the pandemic, keeping them locked down inside their homes, impinged greatly on the people’s physical and mental health. Vaccines and boosters have indeed done well to increase physical immunity.  Leisure and travel, on the other hand, are viewed as antidotes to the mental impacts resulting from the Covid-19 virus.

Local holidays open opportunities for people to travel, relax, and enjoy time with family, friends and loved ones.  These occasional breaks from the usual daily work schedule of people are often happily anticipated for the respite they bring, no matter how short or temporary these breathers may be.  Vacation and travel create a chain reaction which impact domestic tourism and local economy.  Last year, revenues derived from tourism were at ₱208.96 billion. Similarly, tourism-related jobs were recorded approximately at 5.23 million in 2022.  With Covid-19 now endemic, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is positive that all tourism related statistics – from arrivals to expenditures – will exceed even pre-pandemic heights in 2023. 

People travel for many reasons, but the most common remains to be for leisure and relaxation, and these travels often happen on long-weekends resulting from local holidays.  People spend a great deal of time, energy and money just to ensure that travel opportunities tagged along by either our regular or special non-working holidays are maximized.  Holiday tourism has indeed given local tourism and local economy its much needed boost.  Tourism remains a vital economic engine for the country.  Hence, in order to ensure a sustained recovery in the aftermath of Covid-19, the Philippine tourism industry shall have to remain a primary focus in the national blueprint for economic sustainability.