British MP in Manila to help Filipino nurses

MANILA, Philippines - British Member of Parliament David Amess was in Manila to help Filipino nurses as one of nine parliamentarians participating in VSO’s Parliamentarian Volunteering Scheme this year.

He will be advising the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) on promotion of management support and improvement in salaries and working conditions for nurses in the country. Amess is also undertaking a series of meetings with Philippine government officials to discuss investment in the health workforce. 

Amess chose the Philippines as his destination for volunteer work. The hardworking and caring Filipino nurses are among the finest in the world, according to him. “I very much hope that during my short stay here, I’ll be able to not only learn about the profession in the Philippines but try to do something to help them not only now but in the future,” he said. 

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie commended the VSO program for giving UK parliamentarians the opportunity to share their skills and expertise to help bring about change. “I’m delighted to see such an experienced and respected parliamentarian as Mr. Amess coming to experience life in Philippine society close-up. It’s especially appropriate that he should be focusing on the needs and issues of the nursing profession, given that a large part of Britain’s quarter million Filipinos are themselves engaged in nursing in the National Health Service (NHS) and care homes,” he said.

The idea of volunteerism fits well with the UK Government’s Big Society Programme which is working to create a climate that empowers local people and communities to take a more active role in their communities. The program is grounded on the premise that tackling the problems that beset a community is best done from the ground up.  Coincidentally, this vision runs parallel to President Aquino’s call for volunteerism and citizen involvement towards greater transparency and accountability in government. 

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries.