A measure seeking to deploy at least one registered nurse in every barangay nationwide has been filed in the Senate to address unemployment among Filipino nurses while strengthening frontline health services.
On February 5, Camille Villar filed Senate Bill (SB) 1764, or the proposed “An Act Providing for the Employment of Nurses and Assigning at Least One Registered Nurse for Every Barangay.”
Tapping Idle Nurses for Public Service
The bill aims to mobilize thousands of licensed but unemployed or underemployed nurses across the country. In her explanatory note, Villar cited a report from the Department of Health showing that around 124,000 licensed and registered Filipino nurses are unemployed, underemployed, or working in non-nursing jobs.
She noted that while strong global demand for Filipino nurses in the early 2000s boosted the economy through remittances, international opportunities have declined in recent years, leaving many nurses without stable employment at home or abroad.
Rather than viewing this as a setback, Villar said the situation presents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s healthcare system by maximizing its pool of skilled professionals.
One Nurse for Every Barangay
Under SB 1764, the government would assign at least one registered nurse to every barangay to improve access to basic health services, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
Deployed nurses would provide first-line medical care, conduct health education campaigns, promote disease prevention and early detection, assist in immunization drives, and support maternal and child health programs.
Beyond Manpower: Equipment and Medicines Matter
While it may address unemployment among Filipino nurses, it is also important to note that the government must provide adequate medical equipment, diagnostic tools, and a steady supply of essential medicines. Without these, even skilled health professionals may struggle to provide complete care and ensure patients fully recover.
Observers note that Villar may also file complementary measures to secure these resources, ensuring that the bill not only places nurses in every barangay but also equips them to deliver real, life-saving care.
