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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Vargas' twin bills to help prevent healthcare sector 'brain drain'

Vargas' twin bills to help prevent healthcare sector 'brain drain'

Published May 9, 2026 12:50 am

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Majority Leader PM Vargas is batting for the passage of two bills to address the healthcare sector's "brain drain", stressing that Filipino health workers should serve their own people first.
  • HB No. 3520 raises entry-level salaries for government doctors to P91,306, while HB No. 3398 (Care for Nurses' Welfare Act) limits nurses' work hours to eight per shift and 40 per week to prevent burnout.
  • Vargas emphasizes that fair pay and better work-life balance will encourage doctors and nurses to stay, improve patient care, and strengthen the country's public health system.
Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


House Deputy Majority Leader Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas is calling for the urgent passage of two pet measures that are designed to curb the so-called "brain drain" in the public healthcare sector.
“Filipino health workers are among the most sought-after in the world because of their high-quality education and signature bedside manner. Pero tayo dapat mismo ang unang nakakaranas ng kanilang kalinga, hindi huli,” Vargas said on Friday, May 8.
(But we should be the first to experience their care, not the last.)
According to Vargas, the chronic brain drain that has left the local healthcare sector understaffed as homegrown workers would rather seek better opportunities abroad.
One of the measures is House Bill (HB) No. 3520. Vargas, through this measure, seeks to upgrade the entry-level pay for government medical doctors from P73,303 to P91,306, or an increase of P18,003.
The second-term lawmaker says the current pay scale fails to match the immense workload and risks faced by doctors, especially during public health emergencies.
“Kapag wasto ang pagpapasahod natin sa ating mga doktor, mas maeenganyo silang magtrabaho dito sa bansa (If we pay our doctors properly, they will be more encouraged to work here in the country).
"We will also ensure that we attract the best and most skilled talent to our public hospitals,” Vargas said in justifying HB No. 3520.
The ranking solon also filed HB No. 3398, or the “Care for Nurses’ Welfare Act,” for the nursing sector. The bill sets a strict limit for work hours, making it illegal for medical facilities to force nurses to work more than eight hours in a row, or more than a total of 40 hours per week.
It addresses the documented link between nurse burnout and lower patient satisfaction. Vargas emphasized that a better work-life balance is a medical necessity.
“A rested nurse is an attentive nurse. Kapag ang mga nurse natin ay nabigyan ng sapat na oras na makapahinga at makasama ang kanilang pamilya, pagbalik nila sa trabaho ay mas matututukan din nila ang mga pangangailangan ng mga pasyente at maiiwasan ang mga pagkakamali dala ng pagod.” he said.
(If our nurses are given enough time to rest and be with their families, then when they return to work they will be able to focus more on patients’ needs and avoid mistakes caused by fatigue.)
Vargas noted that many licensed nurses currently choose to work in other industries or go overseas because of poor working conditions and low pay at home. He urged his colleagues in Congress to pass these measures as a commitment to a stronger, more resilient public health sector.
“A healthy citizenry is the foundation of a healthy country. These bills are a promise to our frontliners that we will match their dedication with just laws,” said the Quezon City solon.

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