‘Bayan bago bulsa:’ Marcos says scholars must work in PH for 3 years before overseas

President Marcos said the government will study a proposal to require state scholars in the fields of healthcare and information technology to work in the country first for at least two years before they are allowed to seek employment abroad.

“If they find jobs abroad, that’s good for them. But the problem is here, we lose the talent that we trained,” Mr. Marcos said.

“We have to come up with some kind of strategy wherein, let’s say, you provide scholarships and then the scholarship agreement includes that you stay three years. After that, then they’re free to go,” he added.

The mandatory return service scheme was brought up during the 5^th meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Council-Jobs Sector Group (PSAC-Jobs) at Malacañang on Thursday, Feb. 8.

PSAC officials recognized the challenge of retaining skilled workers locally amid the allure of better compensation packages abroad.

Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments Corp, representing the PSAC Jobs sector, proposed sustained efforts in skill development

She emphasized the need for certificate programs and continuous skills training to empower the local workforce.

“I think what we can do is to continue to offer certificate programs and train their skills. I think we can do that. There’s no way for us to retain them,” she said.

“Even in the digital world, if we train them in cybersecurity or any in whatever advanced technology, they’ll still leave. If we can just keep them for two years, that’s good enough,” Sy-Coson added.

PSAC likewise endorsed the President’s directive urging the Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Foreign Affairs to negotiate with foreign governments on favorable terms for Filipino workers.