After twinning pact bid with Japan: Benitez returns with 15k nursing job openings for Negrenses

CEBU, Philippines - Representative Alfredo Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental) has returned recently from his official trip to Japan with good news for his constituents, one of which is the job openings for at least 15,000 nurses to meet the demands of nursing homes for the ageing population of that country.

Benitez was accompanied by Mayors Andrew Montelibano of Murcia town and Eric Saratan of Talisay City in meeting with Japanese legislative officials to propose for a sister city/town twinning agreement between the City of Tokushima in Japan and the two LGUs of Negros Occidental.

The group met with Senators Hirohiko Nakamura and Hajime Ishii and Congressman Yukio Ubukata of Japan, who in turn expressed interest in the proposed partnership.

The Negros delegation and the Japanese officials agreed that the partnership will develop cultural ties between their communities, and contribute to their social and economic development. Foremost in the general terms of agreement discussed was jobs creation.

Nakamura informed that Japan needs at least 15,000 nurses, and Phase 1 of the pact included the drafting of the mechanism for the sending of workers to Japan, with scholarships for Japanese language study for students in Benitez’ district.

Phase 2 of the sister-city agreement will include the creation of nursing homes/retirement villages in Murcia and Talisay catering to Japanese citizens.

“We are very happy that the Japanese officials that we’ve talked to are very receptive to our sister city proposal. I will personally see to it that the agreement is finalized in the soonest possible time,” Benitez said, adding that he will meet Labor Secretary Baldoz later to talk on how to improve “current bilateral agreement with Japan in terms of hiring of nurses.”

The meetings in Japan were arranged by Filipino information technology entrepreneur Ramon Garcia Jr.,and the Benitez group was accompanied by Consul Josel Ignacio to the Japanese Diet, while Philippine Ambassador Manuel Lopez was impressed with Benitez for initiating the joint venture with Japan. (FREEMAN)