ORMOC CITY-Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go thumbs down on a proposal by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to put up a scholarship fund for nurses for them to possibly work abroad.
Instead of pushing this, the DMW should push for an increase of the salaries of Filipino nurses that are comparable with those working abroad, the senator said on Friday (June 16).
Go visited this city and Baybay City, both in Leyte, to grace several events, among them visiting hospitals where Malasakit Centers, his brainchild, have been put up.
“Siguro pag-aralan yan ng mabuti. But initially, may concern ako dito kasi parang pino-promote natin na mag ibang bansa ang ating mga nurses,” he said.
“Ang dapat natin gawin itaas ang kanilang suweldo para maengganyo sila na manatili dito,” Go, who is a member of the committee on migrant workers at the Senate, added.
He said that he knew of several Filipino nurses who would chose to work in the country rather than abroad as long as they would receive salaries comparable with their foreign counterparts.
Earlier, the DMW disclosed that their office is set to sign an agreement with the Commission on Higher Education (ChEd) which will provide scholarship funds for nurses to help them jumpstart a career abroad.
The said agreement is tentatively to be signed by the two agencies next month.
Meantime, during his visit to Baybay City, Go was named as an adopted son of Leyte due to his ‘deep friendship, unwavering support, and invaluable contributions to Leyte and its people.
Go was the main guest during the 16th cityhood anniversary of Baybay which was also graced by Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla who is a cousin of Baybay Mayor Jose Carlos Cari.
During his visit to Ormoc City, Go also led in the distribution of cash assistance to more than 1,000 poor families and also in the inauguration of a fencing hall of which he funded at the amount of P35 million.
He was welcomed by Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez and husband, Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
