The Department of Labor and Employment has clarified that the 5,000 yearly deployment cap for health workers will only be applicable for new hires.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said medical workers who are returning to their jobs will be allowed to leave the country.

“‘Yang cap na ‘yan ay subject to regular review,” Bello told ABS-CBN News. “Pagka halimbawa bababa ang insidente ng pandemya, pwede naman natin increase ‘yan. Gusto lang natin matiyak na di tayo darating sa panahon na lumala ang COVID-19 pagkatapos ang nurses at medical workers nasa ibang bansa.”

The labor chief said foreign countries often try to recruit health professionals with experience.

“Ang kinukuha ng mga dayuhan highly-skilled and experienced, naiiwan lahat sa’tin mga baguhan,” said.

Bello also expressed his support to hike the salary of government nurses, but he also urged Congress to look into the plight of nurses working in private institutions.

“Private sector ang napapabayaan, nagiging victim pa sila nitong malalaking hospital… Ang baba magpasuweldo,” he said.