DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E

www.dfa.gov.ph                                                       2330Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                          Tel. No. 834-4000
 
SFA-AGR-850-07                                                                                                                                     19 Nov 2007

PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT EXTENDS FURTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SENTOSA NURSES 

19 November 2007 – Aggrieved Filipino nurses of SentosaCare group of companies received $25,000 assistance from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for their legal actions against their employer in New York.  Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong handed over the amount to ten representatives of the Sentosa nurses at the Philippine Consulate in New York last October 30. 

President Macapagal-Arroyo privately met four spokespersons of the Sentosa nurses during her recent visit to New York last September.  After hearing the plight of the nurses and upon their request, the President immediately committed to help them in their ligitation expenses. 

There are now about 38 Filipino nurses involved in various administrative, civil and criminal cases against SentosaCare group of companies.  Their cases arose from alleged branches of contract and discriminatory acts by SentosaCare.  The Sentosa 27++ Legal Defense Trust was then set up to pursue their legal remedies. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs previous provided legal assistance funds to ten of the nurses who were criminally charged for alleged endangerment of patients.  A similar case of alleged abandonment of patients was earlier filed by Sentosa against the Filipino nurses before the Office of Professional Discipline of the New York State Education Department.  This administrative case was duly dismissed for lack of merit. 

Pursuant to its mandate, the Philippine Consulate has been extending its full support for the advancement of the welfare of the Filipino nurses abroad.  It closely works with them to ensure their full access to remedial measures and protection of their rights under US laws.  END

 

/Gary

 

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