In the fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang suspended the deployment of doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers effective April 2. That much we know.
According to a memorandum issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), this was meant to “prioritize human resource allocation for the national health care system at the time of the national state of emergency.” Some of the workers covered in said deployment ban include medical doctors and physicians, nurses, clinic analysts, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and microbiologists.
However, the ruling was changed last August to allow healthcare workers with existing contracts as of March 8, 2020, to leave the country. In addition, health workers who were on vacation in the Philippines were also allowed to return.
Photo from Unsplash
But according to an announcement by Malacañang just this Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte has allowed more Filipino healthcare workers to work abroad despite the ongoing pandemic. Thus, health professionals with complete overseas employment documents as of August 31, 2020, can leave the country to work.
“Yung mga health professionals na kumpleto po ang documentation as of August 31, 2020, pinayagan na po kayo ni Presidente makaalis para sa inyong mga trabaho abroad,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during the press briefing.
So yes, if you are a healthcare worker with complete documents as of August 31, you may now work abroad.
[Also Read:Â “Patawad”: Angel Locsin Writes Heartfelt Message for Health Workers]
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