PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to improve the working conditions of the country’s nurses and provide them more career opportunities.
Speaking at the Philippine Nurses Association Inc. (PNA) National Annual Convention 2026 in Pasay City, the president raised the need to fill vacant nursing positions and reduce the number of patients assigned to each nurse.
Marcos cited the increase in funding for the Health Emergency Allowance from P6.8 billion in 2022 to more than P110 billion in 2026 for public and private healthcare workers.
He said the government also provides jobs and review classes assistance through the Clinical Care Associates Program for nursing graduates who have yet to pass the licensure examination.
He said the government continues to work with the Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to strengthen the nursing workforce and provide more training opportunities.
“Our goal is to help more qualified Filipinos enter the profession, strengthen the capabilities and protect the welfare of our nurses to ensure that our healthcare institutions have the workforce that they need to serve our communities,” the president said.
He praised Filipino nurses for their skills, hard work, and dedication, which have earned them the respect of leaders around the world.
“Whenever I meet leaders from different countries, the first thing they tell us, they always come up to me and say, ‘we are so grateful for the nurses that have been providing exemplary service for our people,’” he said.
