CAGAYAN de Oro City First District Rep. Lord Suan has filed a measure expanding the education pathway to a nursing profession.

Suan’s House Bill 9463 or the proposed Nursing Education Pathway Act of 2023 mandates the creation of an Associate Degree in Nursing Program.

Suan said the Philippines has long been a significant source of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, sought after by foreign employers and governments.

The solon also said in response to job market mismatches, the Commission on Higher Education imposed a moratorium on new nursing programs in 2010, which was only lifted in 2022.

“To meet our healthcare needs and Sustainable Development Goals, we require a more substantial healthcare workforce. However, we currently have a significant shortage of doctors and nurses,” Suan said in his explanatory note.

The bill aims to address the healthcare workforce shortage by offering a new, shorter pathway for nursing education, making it more accessible to financially challenged students.

The measure also aims to create new employment opportunities for Filipinos, whether they choose to work locally or internationally.