Key points
- On 19 October 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to improve nurse-to-patient ratios, fill vacant positions and improve working conditions for Filipino nurses.
- No target ratio, salary increase or timeline was announced.
- In a separate meeting reported on 23 October, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus discussed the ethical migration of Filipino health workers.
The President spoke at the Philippine Nurses Association’s 2026 National Annual Convention in Pasay City, held during the association’s 104th founding anniversary and the 69th Nurses’ Week. He said the government is working with the Department of Health on working conditions, and with CHED and TESDA to expand health care training.
He highlighted the Clinical Care Associates Program, which offers jobs and review support to nursing graduates who have not yet passed the licensure exam. He also said the health emergency allowance for public and private health workers grew from ₱6.8 billion in 2022 to more than ₱110 billion in 2026.
Marcos recalled a foreign leader telling him that Filipinos make up 60% of the nurses and doctors in that country’s hospital ICUs, and that stopping the flow of Filipino health workers would cripple its health system. He did not name the country.
WHO talks: ethical migration
In a separate meeting, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado thanked Dr Tedros for raising concerns about the ethical migration of Filipino health workers. The two also discussed access to medicines through pooled procurement and regional stockpiles, pandemic preparedness and disease surveillance. No specific agreements or figures were reported.
What it means for nurses
- Better staffing would ease the workload that pushes many nurses to leave. Watch for a concrete target ratio, a budget or a bill before expecting change on the ward.
- Filipino nurses remain central to health systems abroad, which is why ethical recruitment is on WHO’s agenda.
- If you are planning to work overseas, use recruitment agencies licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers and never pay placement fees that the rules do not allow.
Frequently asked questions
What did President Marcos promise Filipino nurses in October 2026?
At the Philippine Nurses Association convention on 19 October 2026, President Marcos pledged to improve nurse-to-patient ratios, fill vacant positions, create more opportunities for nurses and work with the Department of Health on better working conditions.
Was a specific nurse-to-patient ratio announced?
No. The President promised better ratios but did not announce a target ratio, budget, salary increase or timeline. Nurses should watch for a concrete policy, budget item or bill before expecting changes in hospital staffing.
What is ethical recruitment of nurses?
Ethical recruitment means hiring health workers from abroad in ways that do not strip their home countries of needed staff and that protect workers from exploitation, such as illegal fees. WHO has raised it as a concern for the Philippines, a major source of nurses.
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- Healthcare jobs in the USA, Europe and the Middle East
- More healthcare news for nurses
Sources
- Marcos vows better nurse-patient ratios, more opportunities for nurses, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- Marcos eyes better nurse staffing, more jobs to ease pressure on healthcare, BusinessWorld, 19 October 2026
- DOH, WHO chief tackle medicine access, health worker migration, pandemic readiness, The Manila Times, 23 October 2026
This summary is for information only and does not replace official guidance or advice from a qualified professional.
