MANILA — OFW Party List Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino lauded the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for issuing the guidelines on lifting of the moratorium on new BS Nursing Programs as promised during the policy dialogue facilitated by the OFW Party List last November 23, 2022.
CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) 19, s.2022 allows for the full implementation of the lifting of the moratorium.
Last July 2022, the CHED en banc announced the lifting of the ban on new nursing programs, but HEIs could not apply until the guidelines have been officially issued.
As discussed during the policy dialogue last November, CHED committed to finetune the guidelines to be issued by CHED in consideration of the comments forwarded by the nursing industry stakeholders, deans of different universities and officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and officials of the OFW Party List.
Accordingly, last December 27, 2022 CHED laid down the criteria and mechanisms for higher educational institutions intending to apply for new BS Nursing Programs through CMO 19.
“Our stakeholders from the nursing profession have long been clamoring for the full lifting of the moratorium, thus we welcome the issuance of the guidelines as committed by CHED officials during our policy dialogue last November. This will help address the shortfall of around 99,000 nurses in the country. Allowing more HEIs to offer BS Nursing Programs will also help Filipinos achieve their dream to work abroad as nurses,” said Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
The guidelines also incorporated the comments during the virtual policy dialogue on the need to raise the curriculum to international standards, return of service for graduates of state universities and colleges, and the need for more training hospitals to comply with the demand for proper training of nursing students and graduates.
“We have a lot of successful nurses working locally and abroad because of the quality of health care they offer. Our HEIs do not just produce technically proficient nurses, but also compassionate and dedicated health workers, thus giving Filipino nurses the necessary edge. With the comprehensive guidelines issued by CHED on new BS Nursing programs, we expect even higher quality of graduates and a higher demand for our nurses here and abroad. Accordingly, this allows for wider and better employment opportunities for our Filipino nurses”, said Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
(Amado Inigo/MTVN)
