POEA temporarily suspends deployment of health workerts

April 6, 2020

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has temporarily suspended deployment of selected Filipino health care workers to other countries as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues.

Based on POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 09-2020 issued Monday, a total of 14 occupations in the health care sector will not be deployed.

"The POEA Governing Board resolves that the deployment of all health care workers included in the list above is hereby temporarily suspended until the national state of emergency is lifted and until COVID-19-related travel restrictions are lifted at the destination countries," said the POEA.

The list covers medical doctor/physician, nurse, microbiologist molecular biologist, medical technologist, clinical analyst, respiratory therapist, pharmacist, laboratory technician, X-ray/radiologic technician, nursing assistant/nursing aide, operator of medical equipment, supervisor of health services and personal care, and repairman of medical-hospital equipment.

Also suspended by the POEA are the negotiations of bilateral labor agreements for government-to-government deployment of health care workers.

The POEA said the move is necessary as the country's health facilities, personnel, and other resources are strained due to the rising number of persons affected by the COVID-19.

"It is of paramount national interest to ensure that the country shall continue to have, sustain the supply, and prepare sufficient health personnel to meet any further contingencies, especially to replace, substitute, or reinforce existing workforce currently employed, deployed, or utilized locally," said POEA. DMS