MANILA – The Philippines and the province of Alberta in Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that institutionalizes best practices and strengthens cooperation to enhance the welfare of Filipino nurses working in Alberta, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.
The MOU identifies several areas of cooperation between the two parties, including the undertaking of a formal collaborative effort to the certification, recognition, and matching of skills and qualifications of Filipino nurses and the provision of support to Filipino nurses who are not yet registered to practice in Alberta.
Under the MOU, Filipino nurses in Alberta who will undergo assessment, education, and training, and licensing process can apply for financial incentives from the Alberta government once the financial assistance program is finalized.
The MOU would also open partnerships, including the potential to establish an Alberta-accredited nursing program in the Philippines.
The MOU was signed by the Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation, Patricia Yvonne Caunan, and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.
Negotiations with the Government of Alberta were spearheaded by the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Vancouver.
Alberta is home to 175,130 overseas Filipinos based on the 2016 Canada Census data, latest DFA data show. (PNA)
