Iloilo Representative Pledges Legislative Support for Filipino Nurses at National Conference

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo Third District Representative Lorenz R. Defensor has committed to spearheading legislative efforts aimed at supporting Filipino nurses.

According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, Speaking at the national conference of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), which officially commenced on Tuesday at the Iloilo Convention Center, Defensor emphasized the vital role nurses have played during the pandemic. “It’s about time that we take care of the nurses in the country,” he stated in his keynote address. Citing Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, Defensor pointed out that out of approximately 951,000 nurses in the country, more than half are active professionals, and more than one-third are working abroad.

Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, who welcomed the conference delegates on behalf of Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., affirmed the significant role of nurses in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned that nurses have been pivotal from the front lines of initial care to post-hospital recovery.

The conference theme for this year focuses on ‘Gearing Up for Global Health Challenges with Renewed Vitality.’ PNA national president Melvin D. Miranda echoed the sentiments expressed by Defensor and Banias. Miranda said the PNA would continue to represent their colleagues in the nursing profession and emphasized the need for support from both local and national governments.