Philippine Daily Inquirer
Inquirer Opinion/Letters To The Editor
Posted date: October 11, 2008
This refers to the news story titled “From now on, call them expats, not OFWs.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10/8/08) By suggesting that we should call our overseas Filipino workers “expatriates” because “the nature of their job is increasingly more on skilled professions,” and “expatriates usually get higher pay,” Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vainly attempts to deny the fact that the majority of OFWs are in difficult working conditions. The sugarcoated term “expatriates” tends to obscure the connotation of OFWs being overworked and lowly paid like the millions of domestic helpers.
In fact, in the face of the current financial crisis, OFWs in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are forced to look for more than two to three jobs just to sustain their support for their families back home.
Filipino migrant workers are victims of the government’s failure to ensure jobs, job security and decent wages at home. OFW remittances are keeping the country’s economy afloat thus, the Labor Export Program of the Arroyo administration is designed to keep promoting Filipino labor migration. Hosting this year’s Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is one big opportunity for Ms Arroyo to further advertise English-speaking, highly-skilled and cheap Filipino labor.
Filipino nurses work as highly paid caregivers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Middle East and New Zealand; ironically, there is a shortage of health workers in the Philippines. In New Zealand, almost every rest home employs one Filipino nurse or caregiver. Many of them are victims of exorbitant fees and bond agreements that confine them to work in isolated rest homes. Filipinos who work in Vodafone and Telecom Network, New Zealand’s two leading telecom companies, mostly come from PLDT, Bayantel and Sky Cable companies.
Filipinos are forced to work abroad at the expense of leaving their loved ones, facing the risks of having misguided children and broken families. No thanks to a hopelessly corrupt government that fails to generate jobs at home, steals the people’s hard-earned incomes, and neglects the OFWs who are suffering abuses and indignities abroad.
DENNIS MAGA, National Coordinator, Migrante New Zealand
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Dagdag na mga Benepisyo sa CNA para sa mga Kawani, Faculty at REPS, Ibigay Na
Karapatan sa Representasyon ng All UP Academic Employees Union Huwag Yurakan! Kilalanin!
Sahod, trabaho at mga karapatan.
Ito ang mga pangunahing itinataguyod ng All UP Workers Union at All UP Academic Employees Union bilang mga unyon ng karaniwang kawani, REPS at faculty ng UP.
Napagtagumpayan natin nitong mga nakaraan ang pagkamit ng ating P20,000 centennial bonus at ang ating 10% salary increase. Hindi naging madali ang mga labang ito. Halos walong buwan nating ipinaglaban ang ating Centennial Bonus mula Oktubre hanggang matanggap natin ito noong Hunyo 18, 2008. Mahigit na ring tatlong buwan nating iginiit ang ating 10% salary increase mula Hulyo hanggang sa nirelease ng DBM ang pondo para sa UP nitong Oktubre 6, 2008.
Pero hindi nagtatapos ang laban ng ating mga unyon para maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng ating mga kawani, REPS at faculty sa UP. Mahalagang usaping nakakaharap ng ating mga unyon ngayon ang mga karapatan natin bilang “accredited” o “duly recognized organizations” bunga ng pagkapanalo ng All UP Workers Union sa Certification Election noong nakaraang Oktubre at sa pagkalap ng mayorya ng suporta ng All UP Academic Employees Union. Kapwa kinilala ng Civil Service Commission at Department of Labor and Employment ang ating mga unyon sa pagbibigay sa atin ng mga certificates of accreditation. Bilang accredited unions, tayo ang “sole-and-exclusive representative ng rank-and file” na mga empleyado ng UP.
All-UP Workers Union: Dagdag na mga benepisyo para sa mga kawani
Nasa gitna ng negosasyon para sa ikalawang CNA ang unyon ng ating mga kawani. Pangunahing ipinaglalaban natin ang mga sumusunod na mga benepisyo:
• P20,000.00 CNA incentive (signing bonus)
• 4 sacks of rice (annual)
• 2,000.00/year of service for the loyalty pay
• 10,000.00 merit award for “sagad” employees
• 5,000.00 medical assistance
• Additional retirement benefits
• P20,000.00 - compulsory retirement, and
• P15,000.00 – optional retirement
• Additional leave privileges
All-UP Academic Employees Union: Pagkilala sa karapatan ng unyon sa representasyon bilang ”sole and exclusive representative” ng rank-and-file faculty and REPS.
Mayo 26, 2008 ang huling negosasyon sa pagitan ng panel ng Acad Union at ng UP Administration. Lampas na lampas na sa isang taon ang negosasyong ito. At ang pangunahing balakid ay ang hindi pagkilala ng Administrasyon ng UP sa representasyon ng acad union sa mahalagang komite na Academic Personnel Committee. Ang APC/APFC ay may ganitong mga tungkulin ayon sa UP Diliman Faculty Manual:
“Review, evaluate and endorse to the Chancellor recommendations from academic units with regard to the following:
• Appointment, tenure and promotion of faculty and REPS (SG 18 and above)
• Award of local and foreign fellowships, study leaves, special details, professorial chairs and faculty grants
• Financial participation in training conferences, seminars, workshops and training programs
• Other related functions assigned by the Chancellor”
Hanggang ngayon hindi pa sinasagot ng Administrasyong Roman ang sulat ng unyon na humihingi ng nakasulat na paliwanag sa patuloy na pagtutol nito sa representasyon ng unyon sa naturang komite na bahagi ng nagsusuri at nagtatalakay sa “terms and conditions of work” ng mga empleyadong akademiko at kung gayon ay saklaw ng karapatan ng unyon sa representasyon. May nagbabanggit na ang UP Diliman administrasyon ang isa sa matinding tumututol sa ganitong representasyon habang ang Administrasyon ng UP Manila ay matagal nang kinilala ang representasyon ng All UP Acad Union UP Manila Chapter sa mga komiteng may kaugnayan sa kondisyon ng paggawa ng mga REPS at faculty nito.
Patuloy na niyuyurakan ng Administrasyong Roman ang accreditation ng All UP Academic Employees Union sa di pagkakaroon ng representasyon ng acad union sa Ad Hoc Committee na binuo ni Vice President for Academic Affairs Amelia Guevarra para pag-usapan ang “career path” ng mga REPS.
Hindi mauunawaan ng All UP Academic Employees Union at ng All UP Workers Union ang ganitong asta ng administrasyong Roman sa isang karapatang ibinigay sa All UP Workers Union sa unang CNA nito sa UP Administrasyon sa panahon ni Presidente Nemenzo noong 2002 na walang kaproble problema. At hindi rin maiintindihan ng ating mga unyon bakit patuloy na binibimbin ng Administrasyong Roman ang sagot sa ating mga sulat kaugnay ng ganitong usapin.
Katulad ng napagtagumpayan natin sa laban para sa centennial bonus at para sa ating 10% salary increase, nakasalalay sa determinadong pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagkilos ng mga karaniwang kawani, REPS, at faculty ng UP ang susi para sa laban para sa dagdag na benepisyo at para sa karapatan sa representasyon ng ating mga unyon bilang mga accredited at duly-recognized organizations ng rank-and file na empleyado ng UP.
Sahod, trabaho at mga karapatan.
Ito ang mga pangunahing itinataguyod ng All UP Workers Union at All UP Academic Employees Union bilang mga unyon ng karaniwang kawani, REPS at faculty ng UP.
Napagtagumpayan natin nitong mga nakaraan ang pagkamit ng ating P20,000 centennial bonus at ang ating 10% salary increase. Hindi naging madali ang mga labang ito. Halos walong buwan nating ipinaglaban ang ating Centennial Bonus mula Oktubre hanggang matanggap natin ito noong Hunyo 18, 2008. Mahigit na ring tatlong buwan nating iginiit ang ating 10% salary increase mula Hulyo hanggang sa nirelease ng DBM ang pondo para sa UP nitong Oktubre 6, 2008.
Pero hindi nagtatapos ang laban ng ating mga unyon para maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng ating mga kawani, REPS at faculty sa UP. Mahalagang usaping nakakaharap ng ating mga unyon ngayon ang mga karapatan natin bilang “accredited” o “duly recognized organizations” bunga ng pagkapanalo ng All UP Workers Union sa Certification Election noong nakaraang Oktubre at sa pagkalap ng mayorya ng suporta ng All UP Academic Employees Union. Kapwa kinilala ng Civil Service Commission at Department of Labor and Employment ang ating mga unyon sa pagbibigay sa atin ng mga certificates of accreditation. Bilang accredited unions, tayo ang “sole-and-exclusive representative ng rank-and file” na mga empleyado ng UP.
All-UP Workers Union: Dagdag na mga benepisyo para sa mga kawani
Nasa gitna ng negosasyon para sa ikalawang CNA ang unyon ng ating mga kawani. Pangunahing ipinaglalaban natin ang mga sumusunod na mga benepisyo:
• P20,000.00 CNA incentive (signing bonus)
• 4 sacks of rice (annual)
• 2,000.00/year of service for the loyalty pay
• 10,000.00 merit award for “sagad” employees
• 5,000.00 medical assistance
• Additional retirement benefits
• P20,000.00 - compulsory retirement, and
• P15,000.00 – optional retirement
• Additional leave privileges
All-UP Academic Employees Union: Pagkilala sa karapatan ng unyon sa representasyon bilang ”sole and exclusive representative” ng rank-and-file faculty and REPS.
Mayo 26, 2008 ang huling negosasyon sa pagitan ng panel ng Acad Union at ng UP Administration. Lampas na lampas na sa isang taon ang negosasyong ito. At ang pangunahing balakid ay ang hindi pagkilala ng Administrasyon ng UP sa representasyon ng acad union sa mahalagang komite na Academic Personnel Committee. Ang APC/APFC ay may ganitong mga tungkulin ayon sa UP Diliman Faculty Manual:
“Review, evaluate and endorse to the Chancellor recommendations from academic units with regard to the following:
• Appointment, tenure and promotion of faculty and REPS (SG 18 and above)
• Award of local and foreign fellowships, study leaves, special details, professorial chairs and faculty grants
• Financial participation in training conferences, seminars, workshops and training programs
• Other related functions assigned by the Chancellor”
Hanggang ngayon hindi pa sinasagot ng Administrasyong Roman ang sulat ng unyon na humihingi ng nakasulat na paliwanag sa patuloy na pagtutol nito sa representasyon ng unyon sa naturang komite na bahagi ng nagsusuri at nagtatalakay sa “terms and conditions of work” ng mga empleyadong akademiko at kung gayon ay saklaw ng karapatan ng unyon sa representasyon. May nagbabanggit na ang UP Diliman administrasyon ang isa sa matinding tumututol sa ganitong representasyon habang ang Administrasyon ng UP Manila ay matagal nang kinilala ang representasyon ng All UP Acad Union UP Manila Chapter sa mga komiteng may kaugnayan sa kondisyon ng paggawa ng mga REPS at faculty nito.
Patuloy na niyuyurakan ng Administrasyong Roman ang accreditation ng All UP Academic Employees Union sa di pagkakaroon ng representasyon ng acad union sa Ad Hoc Committee na binuo ni Vice President for Academic Affairs Amelia Guevarra para pag-usapan ang “career path” ng mga REPS.
Hindi mauunawaan ng All UP Academic Employees Union at ng All UP Workers Union ang ganitong asta ng administrasyong Roman sa isang karapatang ibinigay sa All UP Workers Union sa unang CNA nito sa UP Administrasyon sa panahon ni Presidente Nemenzo noong 2002 na walang kaproble problema. At hindi rin maiintindihan ng ating mga unyon bakit patuloy na binibimbin ng Administrasyong Roman ang sagot sa ating mga sulat kaugnay ng ganitong usapin.
Katulad ng napagtagumpayan natin sa laban para sa centennial bonus at para sa ating 10% salary increase, nakasalalay sa determinadong pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagkilos ng mga karaniwang kawani, REPS, at faculty ng UP ang susi para sa laban para sa dagdag na benepisyo at para sa karapatan sa representasyon ng ating mga unyon bilang mga accredited at duly-recognized organizations ng rank-and file na empleyado ng UP.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Nursing Now an Ailing Profession
By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Features / Features
Posted date: October 10, 2008
"PAANO na kami?" (What’s will happen to us?)” asks an anxious Genevieve “Bing” Lorenzo in serious concern over published reports that the once burgeoning overseas demand for Filipino nurses has begun to wane.
This part-time private pre-school teacher is currently enrolled in a Metro Manila hospital cum nursing school with “high hopes” that she would be able to work abroad in four or five years, preferably in the United States, where one of her siblings is based. This 24-year old Nueva Ecija native is now having second thoughts about finishing her course.
Sometime in July, Dr. Leah Paquiz, president of the Philippine Nursing Association (PNA), said in a news conference that Filipinos aspiring to jump on the nursing bandwagon should think twice. “Many licensed nurses are now underemployed or unemployed as a result of changes of policy in destination-countries, the current situation of oversupply and quality problems, among other things,” Paquiz explained.
A slowdown in overseas postings for nurses, particularly in the US and the United Kingdom, has resulted in a glut of nurses in the local market, PNA officials said. Nursing is no longer a lucrative profession and students who think they can use it as a passport to greener pastures abroad are seriously mistaken, they added.
Josefina Tuazon, dean of the University of the Philippines College of Nursing, advises prospective nurses to “go into nursing for the right reasons. If you are thinking of going into nursing to be able to go abroad or because your family is pressuring (you), then it is not the time.”
Higher Education Commissioner Nona S. Ricafort agrees. “At this point, we’re not encouraging Pinoys to join the nursing bandwagon,” she says. “Sad to say, the foreign demand for our nurses has hit a plateau (due to US and UK government policy issues). Most of the hospitals there have put a freeze on hiring nurses.”
Big hospitals like Philippine General Hospital in Manila and St. Luke’s in Quezon City have a backlog of nursing applications and a waiting time of six to 12 months. But Ricafort strongly believes that “the slowdown will only be temporary. Nursing jobs will be available again soon. We’re very confident about that.”
Reports from the US, Japan and some European countries describe a crisis in hospitals there, notes this CHed official. “With these countries’ aging populations, there’s a need for nurses. Who will take care of their old folk?”
With a projected enrollment of 497,214 students during the current school year, nursing tops the list of college courses here, according to records of the Commission on Higher Education’s Office of Policy, Planning, Research and Information.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Features / Features
Posted date: October 10, 2008
"PAANO na kami?" (What’s will happen to us?)” asks an anxious Genevieve “Bing” Lorenzo in serious concern over published reports that the once burgeoning overseas demand for Filipino nurses has begun to wane.
This part-time private pre-school teacher is currently enrolled in a Metro Manila hospital cum nursing school with “high hopes” that she would be able to work abroad in four or five years, preferably in the United States, where one of her siblings is based. This 24-year old Nueva Ecija native is now having second thoughts about finishing her course.
Sometime in July, Dr. Leah Paquiz, president of the Philippine Nursing Association (PNA), said in a news conference that Filipinos aspiring to jump on the nursing bandwagon should think twice. “Many licensed nurses are now underemployed or unemployed as a result of changes of policy in destination-countries, the current situation of oversupply and quality problems, among other things,” Paquiz explained.
A slowdown in overseas postings for nurses, particularly in the US and the United Kingdom, has resulted in a glut of nurses in the local market, PNA officials said. Nursing is no longer a lucrative profession and students who think they can use it as a passport to greener pastures abroad are seriously mistaken, they added.
Josefina Tuazon, dean of the University of the Philippines College of Nursing, advises prospective nurses to “go into nursing for the right reasons. If you are thinking of going into nursing to be able to go abroad or because your family is pressuring (you), then it is not the time.”
Higher Education Commissioner Nona S. Ricafort agrees. “At this point, we’re not encouraging Pinoys to join the nursing bandwagon,” she says. “Sad to say, the foreign demand for our nurses has hit a plateau (due to US and UK government policy issues). Most of the hospitals there have put a freeze on hiring nurses.”
Big hospitals like Philippine General Hospital in Manila and St. Luke’s in Quezon City have a backlog of nursing applications and a waiting time of six to 12 months. But Ricafort strongly believes that “the slowdown will only be temporary. Nursing jobs will be available again soon. We’re very confident about that.”
Reports from the US, Japan and some European countries describe a crisis in hospitals there, notes this CHed official. “With these countries’ aging populations, there’s a need for nurses. Who will take care of their old folk?”
With a projected enrollment of 497,214 students during the current school year, nursing tops the list of college courses here, according to records of the Commission on Higher Education’s Office of Policy, Planning, Research and Information.
Health Group Slams Senate Ratification of JPEPA
Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
2/F Doña Anita Bldg, 284 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City
Telefax: (02) 725 4760 Email: headphil@gmail.com
Media Release
10 October 2008
The health group Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) is calling on all nurses, doctors, caregivers, and other health personnel to denounce all of the sixteen senators who voted in favor of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
According to HEAD, the senators who ratified the patently onerous trade agreement have placed health personnel everywhere, even those not seeking work in Japan, in a very disadvantageous and vulnerable position.
“Pro-JPEPA senators have institutionalized the commodification of health workers and professionals in a trade deal,” declared Dr. Geneve E. Rivera, HEAD Secretary-General. “They should be made accountable for this betrayal.”
Through JPEPA, the employment of nurses and caregivers in Japan was bundled with negotiated trade concessions sought by the Arroyo government. Thus, labor standards, job security, migrant and labor rights, benefits and wages, and other protection for Filipino nurses and caregivers have all been compromised in exchange for so-called trade investments.
“Parang ‘Bagsak-presyo’ ng mga nurses (like a rummage sale of nurses),” Dr. Rivera said. “This is the message that the Arroyo government and pro-JPEPA senators is sending to the world.”
In its submitted position paper, HEAD earlier warned the Senate that JPEPA would set a dangerous precedent for its anti-migrant worker provisions, which may be used by other countries who need Filipino health personnel.
In terms of nurses alone, around 85% are working abroad and an estimated 15,000 more leave the country annually. “All of the health personnel working across the globe should make these pro-JPEPA senators feel their wrath by denouncing them in public and in the coming elections.” added Dr. Rivera.
HEAD also reacted strongly to Senator Mar Roxas’ assertion that ratifying JPEPA is both “timely and necessary” to keep the country “globally competitive”.
“If this was a race to the bottom, if this was an auction of Filipino nurses to the lowest bidder, then Sen. Roxas is right. Is this what he wants?” said Dr. Rivera. “Sen. Roxas has shown an utter incapacity to sympathize with the plight of Filipino health workers, especially nurses and caregivers.”
HEAD will join other sectoral groups in a picket at the Japanese Embassy in Roxas Boulevard later today.
“This is labor export policy at its worst. Senators are conniving with the Arroyo government in allowing the unbridled exploitation of Filipino health workers and professionals.” Dr. Rivera concluded, “This policy must end. The struggle against JPEPA will continue until it is thoroughly rejected.”####
References:
Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712
Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos
Vice-Chairperson, 0916 214 5724
2/F Doña Anita Bldg, 284 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City
Telefax: (02) 725 4760 Email: headphil@gmail.com
Media Release
10 October 2008
The health group Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) is calling on all nurses, doctors, caregivers, and other health personnel to denounce all of the sixteen senators who voted in favor of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
According to HEAD, the senators who ratified the patently onerous trade agreement have placed health personnel everywhere, even those not seeking work in Japan, in a very disadvantageous and vulnerable position.
“Pro-JPEPA senators have institutionalized the commodification of health workers and professionals in a trade deal,” declared Dr. Geneve E. Rivera, HEAD Secretary-General. “They should be made accountable for this betrayal.”
Through JPEPA, the employment of nurses and caregivers in Japan was bundled with negotiated trade concessions sought by the Arroyo government. Thus, labor standards, job security, migrant and labor rights, benefits and wages, and other protection for Filipino nurses and caregivers have all been compromised in exchange for so-called trade investments.
“Parang ‘Bagsak-presyo’ ng mga nurses (like a rummage sale of nurses),” Dr. Rivera said. “This is the message that the Arroyo government and pro-JPEPA senators is sending to the world.”
In its submitted position paper, HEAD earlier warned the Senate that JPEPA would set a dangerous precedent for its anti-migrant worker provisions, which may be used by other countries who need Filipino health personnel.
In terms of nurses alone, around 85% are working abroad and an estimated 15,000 more leave the country annually. “All of the health personnel working across the globe should make these pro-JPEPA senators feel their wrath by denouncing them in public and in the coming elections.” added Dr. Rivera.
HEAD also reacted strongly to Senator Mar Roxas’ assertion that ratifying JPEPA is both “timely and necessary” to keep the country “globally competitive”.
“If this was a race to the bottom, if this was an auction of Filipino nurses to the lowest bidder, then Sen. Roxas is right. Is this what he wants?” said Dr. Rivera. “Sen. Roxas has shown an utter incapacity to sympathize with the plight of Filipino health workers, especially nurses and caregivers.”
HEAD will join other sectoral groups in a picket at the Japanese Embassy in Roxas Boulevard later today.
“This is labor export policy at its worst. Senators are conniving with the Arroyo government in allowing the unbridled exploitation of Filipino health workers and professionals.” Dr. Rivera concluded, “This policy must end. The struggle against JPEPA will continue until it is thoroughly rejected.”####
References:
Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712
Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos
Vice-Chairperson, 0916 214 5724
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
UP Employees to Get Salary Hike
By Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:51:00 10/08/2008
MANILA, Philippines – After waiting for more than three months, employees of the University of the Philippines will finally enjoy the 10 percent salary increase for all government workers that was supposed to take effect on July 1.
Dr. Judy Taguiwalo, national vice president of the All UP Academic Employees Union, said they welcome the pay hike as mandated by Executive Order 719.
“We were planning to appeal personally to the Department of Budget and Management earlier, but this is good news,” she told the Inquirer in a phone interview.
UP President Emerlinda Roman said the much awaited salary increase for the university’s employees – both permanent and temporary – was approved by President Macapagal-Arroyo only last week.
“We received the DBM memorandum on Oct. 3, and the budget for the pay hike was released on Monday,” she said.
The DBM earlier declined to approve the budget for the university workers’ pay hike, saying that with the signing of the new UP charter in April, the university was no longer covered by the salary standardization law.
Roman said the UP accounting office was already preparing the new pay roll. “Everybody understands that they have to wait for the process. It cannot be released immediately,” she added.
Taguiwalo said they hope to receive the extra pay in the coming weeks.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:51:00 10/08/2008
MANILA, Philippines – After waiting for more than three months, employees of the University of the Philippines will finally enjoy the 10 percent salary increase for all government workers that was supposed to take effect on July 1.
Dr. Judy Taguiwalo, national vice president of the All UP Academic Employees Union, said they welcome the pay hike as mandated by Executive Order 719.
“We were planning to appeal personally to the Department of Budget and Management earlier, but this is good news,” she told the Inquirer in a phone interview.
UP President Emerlinda Roman said the much awaited salary increase for the university’s employees – both permanent and temporary – was approved by President Macapagal-Arroyo only last week.
“We received the DBM memorandum on Oct. 3, and the budget for the pay hike was released on Monday,” she said.
The DBM earlier declined to approve the budget for the university workers’ pay hike, saying that with the signing of the new UP charter in April, the university was no longer covered by the salary standardization law.
Roman said the UP accounting office was already preparing the new pay roll. “Everybody understands that they have to wait for the process. It cannot be released immediately,” she added.
Taguiwalo said they hope to receive the extra pay in the coming weeks.
“The 2009 National Health Budget: Investing in Medical Tourism” - HEAD
Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD
2/F Doña Anita Bldg, 284 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City
Telefax: (02) 725 4760 Email: headphil@gmail.com
Media Release
08 October 2008
The Arroyo government is investing in health care – but for foreign medical tourists, not for Filipino patients.
The much-ballyhooed increase in the Department of Health (DOH) budget for 2009 is actually a continuing and growing investment in government-sponsored medical tourism, based on a study by Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) of past and current national health budgets. HEAD led members of the health sector that trooped to the House of Representatives earlier today to underscore their criticism of the 2009 health budget.
“The DOH budget for Health Facilities Enhancement Program of P180 million in 2007 suddenly became P1.66 billion in 2008, a whooping 822% increase! For 2009, this amount increases even further by 22.29% to P2.03 billion,” according to Dr. Geneve E. Rivera, HEAD secretary-general. “Yet public hospitals and government-run health facilities continue to wallow in a state of disrepair and lack of adequate facilities.”
HEAD notes that among the items highlighted by budget secretary Rolando Andaya in the 2009 national budget, allocation for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program was the highest, even more than the allocation for the provision of potable water (P1.5 billion) and the Tuberculosis Control Program (P1.3 billion).
Even among public hospitals, the more substantial budget increases are for specialty hospitals like the Lung Center of the Philippines (an additional P157.6 million), National Kidney and Transplant Institute (an additional P185 million), Philippine Children’s Medical Center (an additional P236 million), and Philippine Heart Center (an additional P185 million).
“These are the same hospitals earmarked for integration as the Philippine Center for Specialized Healthcare in line with the government’s medical tourism program.” Added Dr. Rivera, “In fact, NKTI and PHC are already participants in this medical tourism program.”
HEAD insists that if the Arroyo gov’t can allocate such an amount to specialty hospitals, it should also give an equal if not higher increase to medical centers that cater to the general public and indigent Filipinos.
In contrast to specialty hospitals, the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, the flagship hospital of the DOH, is only getting P359 million for its 2009 budget, without any substantial increase. This is the case for other public hospitals under the DOH.
“The Arroyo gov’t and the DOH should explain their skewed priorities in terms of health.” concluded Dr. Rivera. “They should explain why healthcare is being transformed into a business venture and why there is money for foreign medical tourists but none for the health and lives of ordinary Filipinos.”###
References:
Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712
Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos
Vice-Chairperson, 0916 214 5724
2/F Doña Anita Bldg, 284 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City
Telefax: (02) 725 4760 Email: headphil@gmail.com
Media Release
08 October 2008
The Arroyo government is investing in health care – but for foreign medical tourists, not for Filipino patients.
The much-ballyhooed increase in the Department of Health (DOH) budget for 2009 is actually a continuing and growing investment in government-sponsored medical tourism, based on a study by Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) of past and current national health budgets. HEAD led members of the health sector that trooped to the House of Representatives earlier today to underscore their criticism of the 2009 health budget.
“The DOH budget for Health Facilities Enhancement Program of P180 million in 2007 suddenly became P1.66 billion in 2008, a whooping 822% increase! For 2009, this amount increases even further by 22.29% to P2.03 billion,” according to Dr. Geneve E. Rivera, HEAD secretary-general. “Yet public hospitals and government-run health facilities continue to wallow in a state of disrepair and lack of adequate facilities.”
HEAD notes that among the items highlighted by budget secretary Rolando Andaya in the 2009 national budget, allocation for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program was the highest, even more than the allocation for the provision of potable water (P1.5 billion) and the Tuberculosis Control Program (P1.3 billion).
Even among public hospitals, the more substantial budget increases are for specialty hospitals like the Lung Center of the Philippines (an additional P157.6 million), National Kidney and Transplant Institute (an additional P185 million), Philippine Children’s Medical Center (an additional P236 million), and Philippine Heart Center (an additional P185 million).
“These are the same hospitals earmarked for integration as the Philippine Center for Specialized Healthcare in line with the government’s medical tourism program.” Added Dr. Rivera, “In fact, NKTI and PHC are already participants in this medical tourism program.”
HEAD insists that if the Arroyo gov’t can allocate such an amount to specialty hospitals, it should also give an equal if not higher increase to medical centers that cater to the general public and indigent Filipinos.
In contrast to specialty hospitals, the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, the flagship hospital of the DOH, is only getting P359 million for its 2009 budget, without any substantial increase. This is the case for other public hospitals under the DOH.
“The Arroyo gov’t and the DOH should explain their skewed priorities in terms of health.” concluded Dr. Rivera. “They should explain why healthcare is being transformed into a business venture and why there is money for foreign medical tourists but none for the health and lives of ordinary Filipinos.”###
References:
Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, 0920 460 3712
Dr. Gene Alzona Nisperos
Vice-Chairperson, 0916 214 5724
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