Pact to allow cross-border hiring of nurses

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN will sign in Cebu next month an agreement that will make cross-border deployment of nurses easier.

Department of Trade and Industry-International Trade Relations Director Ramon Vicente Kabigting said the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) would even help boost the health services of member-countries.

"Nurses from the 10 ASEAN countries can now cross the border easily. With the MRA, it will be easier for nurses from a member country to cross the border and work in the health sector of that country," Kabigting said.

Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of ASEAN Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz said the MRA will benefit licensed nurses because they will have greater freedom of movement.

Kabigting also said the ASEAN is considering accelerating the establishment of Free Trade Area (AFTA) in the region.

"We’re thinking of accelerating the mandate given to us by leaders last year to realize ASEAN economic community by 2015. The ministers will recommend that timeline," Kabigting added.

He stressed that an ASEAN FTA is a stimulus for economic growth and development of all members, including the Philippines.

"FTA is one such mechanism to help us in navigating through globalization and pushing economic development and growth," Kabigting said. — Pia Lee-Brago