Mindanao health workers seek better pay as nurse shortage looms

CAGAYAN de Oro City - Health workers in Mindanao are being urged to care for more patients even as many nurses consider working abroad for better pay and benefits. 

This raises concerns about whether private hospitals can offer enough to keep skilled workers in the country. 

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) is calling on Congress to fast-track the proposed Magna Carta for Private Health Workers as the country faces a projected nursing shortage of up to 250,000 by 2030. 

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has warned that the shortage could reach that level if current trends continue. The estimated deficit was already between 127,000 and 190,000 nurses in 2025, based on figures cited by CHED. 

For hospitals in Mindanao, the challenge is not only finding enough nurses but also retaining those already in service. 

Michael Caspe, president of the San Pedro Hospital Employees Union-FFW in Davao City, said health workers continue to serve patients despite what he described as inadequate support. 

“Madalas napapabayaan ang ating health care workers, yet they continue to go above and beyond their duties to care for our kababayang nangangailangan,” Caspe said. 

He said their dedication should be matched with fair pay, adequate benefits and humane working conditions. 

“Panahon nang alagaan ang mga nangangalaga sa atin,” he added. 

FFW National President Atty. Jose Sonny G. Matula urged Congress to speed up hearings and consolidate pending proposals in the House of Representatives and Senate. 

“Kailangan ng makabuluhang sahod, sapat na benepisyo, ligtas na staffing at proteksiyon sa karapatang mag-unyon,” Matula said. 

Registered nurse Manuel Payao, FFW vice president for Luzon and president of the UERM Employees Union-FFW, said the pay gap between local and overseas jobs remains a major reason nurses leave the country. 

“Malaki ang agwat ng sahod at benepisyo rito at abroad. Nurses seek better compensation overseas to secure their families’ future. Isulong na ang Magna Carta,” Payao said. 

The FFW cited overseas salary benchmarks to show the difference, with approximate monthly gross equivalents ranging from ₱144,000 in Singapore to ₱513,000 in the United States. 

These figures are before taxes and deductions. Actual salaries vary depending on experience, employer, and location. 

Vilma Garcia, president of the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute Employees Union-FFW, said hospitals must provide wages that allow health workers to support their families, as well as enough rest and benefits. 

“Mas mataas pa ang maaaring kitain sa USA. If we want nurses or other health workers to stay, bigyan natin sila ng sahod na nakabubuhay, sapat na pahinga at maayos na benepisyo,” Garcia said. 

Proposals await congressional action 

The proposed Magna Carta for Private Health Workers seeks to improve the welfare and working conditions of employees in private health institutions. 

The House health committee's July 29, 2026, agenda included several bills proposing the measure, including House Bill 533. 

In the Senate, Senate Bill 1525 was referred to the appropriate committees in December 2025.

The proposals still need to go through the legislative process before any of their provisions can become law. 

For private hospitals in Mindanao, the debate raises questions about whether current salaries and benefits are enough to retain nurses, whether staffing