A campaign to honor Philippine nurses continues to gain momentum, gaining endorsements and support from various individuals, community leaders, organizations and government officials.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa is among the latest to endorse the Philippine Nurses Parkway Campaign, a petition to rename Circumferential Road No. 6 (C-6) in Manila to "Philippine Nurses Parkway." The petition is meant to be a tribute to the thousands of Filipino nurses, whose outstanding social and economic contributions to the country are beyond question.

Launched by the Philippine Nurses Monitor, the Philippine Nurses Parkway campaign is endorsed and supported by various nursing organizations, such as the Philippine Nurses Association in the Manila headed by Dr. Leah Paquiz, the Philippine Nurses Association of America through May Mayor, the UP Nursing Alumni Association, Inc. headed by Bernadette Nazareno. Also among those who have endorsed the campaign was Eric Lachica, representing the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc. Other organizations supporting the campaign include the Philippine Press Club International, Inc., headed by Edith Andres. To date the campaign has generated close to 100,000 signatories as represented by various organizations both in the U.S. and in the Philippines.

The petition is expected to be submitted for deliberation by members of Congress before the close of its session in March.

Together with other professionals, nurses make up the Philippines biggest labor exports.  In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that there are over 250,000 Filipino nurses or roughly 12 per cent of the total workforce in various hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and other healthcare facilities.  Last year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines reported that more than 21,000 Filipino nurses sought employment in the U.S.

Filipino nurses across the globe have overwhelmingly endorsed the campaign and they look forward to coming home to the Philippines for the proposed inaugural date on July 25, 2008.

Filipino nurses have always been known to be vibrant, talented, loyal, family-oriented and caring, which make them undeniably a “world-class brand”.  Not only do they contribute to the economic growth of the Philippine, they also bring prestige to the country.  For these reasons and more, they certainly deserve recognition.

For more information about the campaign, visit: www.philippinenursesmonitor.com