Filipino health workers leaving due to low pay, students warn

A position paper by senior high school students from the University of Santo Tomas under the Health Care Allied track, titled “Restoring the Nation’s Pulse: Giving Life Back to Those Who Keep Us Alive”, highlighted that healthcare workers (HCWs) once hailed as “heroes” are being undervalued by their own country—a key factor driving their migration abroad.

“A nation’s soul relies on its people—the citizens who protect, heal, and sustain their home. In the Philippines, this truth becomes a painful irony: those who safeguard the health of others often struggle to preserve their own,” the paper stated.

The students cited Department of Health data showing the Philippines has a shortage of almost 19,000 healthcare workers, despite thousands of HCWs graduating annually.

The position paper noted that the number of nurses and doctors leaving the country continues to outpace those who remain in the local workforce. Factors include low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of government support.

“With thousands of Filipino nurses and doctors leaving the country each year in search of better opportunities abroad, the nation is slowly losing its lifeline,” the students wrote.

A registered nurse in the Philippines earns between P200,000 and P500,000 annually, compared to $80,000 to $95,000 (around P4,695,440 to P5,575,835) abroad, particularly in the United States. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) data indicates thousands of Filipino nurses continue to seek employment overseas, especially in the United States, United Kingdom, and Middle East.

“This constant migration pattern reflects the desire of Filipino HCWs for dignity, stability, and respect elsewhere—viewing migration as a choice, but as a necessity,” the paper emphasized.

The students cited the DLSU Medical Center as an example, which has a 250-bed capacity but can only admit around 170 patients due to a shortage of nurses. Full operation would require 340 nurses.

The migration has created a shortage of skilled professionals, posing risks to healthcare quality and the national economy, despite remittances from HCWs abroad.

The paper also noted that government measures such as the Philippine Nursing Act, the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, specialty programs, scholarships, and free medical care have been insufficient against strong overseas incentives.

However, hope remains if House Bill No. 6132, the Magna Carta of Private Health Workers, is passed. It promises a P50,000 base salary for nurses and P1,100 per day for other HCWs.

“This legislation, if passed, could harmonize public and private standards while preventing exploitative working hours,” the paper explained.

The students stressed that existing laws are not enough due to weak implementation and poor support, which continue to drive “silent heroes” abroad. They called for urgent action to ensure healthcare workers feel valued at home.

“A country cannot heal if its healers are forced to leave home to survive. It is time for senators, companies, and citizens alike to demand lasting reform—one that values, protects, and empowers every Filipino healthcare worker before it’s too late,” the students concluded.