If I can work as an occupational therapist (OT) abroad, I would prefer to be in a tech hub where I can explore the use of artificial intelligence in rehabilitative services. I’ve been googling occupational therapy jobs in certain high-tech states and provinces, and I’ve found a few that I can envision myself taking if it’s God’s will for me to live abroad. I’m sure that many other therapists are doing the same.
Who can blame us Filipino healthcare workers if we want to move to the West? We can get paid higher salaries there with significantly less stress. The health infrastructure is top-of-the-line. Moreover, we can finally travel visa-free to more than a hundred countries if we become citizens! Despite my love for my country and my gratitude towards her for all of the great opportunities that I have here as a therapist, it is beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Philippines is overall rotten. The question now is, will she stay that way? Should we allied health professionals flee when we get the chance? Or are we better off staying here given that the West is also facing major crises?
Obviously, each person’s situation is unique. I think though that the most likely big-picture scenario is that the Philippines will continue to face extreme difficulties, but it will get better gradually. As a result, many Filipino therapists will thrive professionally in the long run should they opt to stay in the country.
Economic Progress in the Pipeline
This is not just wishful thinking on my part. The World Bank predicts that the Philippines will become an upper middle income country by 2025 if it continues its economic reforms. According to Fitch Ratings, our economy will grow in the medium term. A study by Oxford Economics has found the Philippines to be one of the countries that is poised for economic growth in the coming years. Finally, Goldman Sachs forecasts that the Philippines will be the top 14 largest economy in the world by 2075.
We’re already seeing a lot of reforms that are setting up our country for success. One of these is the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. This will certainly improve the peace and order situation, which will encourage local and foreign investors to establish businesses that will promote economic growth. On the other hand, our strengthened military alliances with other countries will keep China at bay. Besides, it’s unlikely that the Philippines will be caught in a war between China and Taiwan. China itself is avoiding that situation because war will damage its fragile economy for generations, especially if military conflict will destroy Taiwan’s semiconductor industry from which Beijing wants to profit.
The Philippines is also gaining significant ground in stabilizing the South. It has become more peaceful since Filipino Muslims were granted more autonomy to govern the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Moreover, the national government is continuing to help the BARMM develop economically through digitalization as well as healthcare reforms. Exploring the BARMM as a source of energy is also in the works.
The Marcos administration has also been zealously inviting foreign investors. The president’s business deals abroad have already resulted in foreign investments that are worth 427 billion pesos as of this writing. Another economic program that excites me is our free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea. This will allow the Philippines to export agricultural products to South Korea and expand employment opportunities for overseas Filipino workers where there are labor shortages. In return, South Korea will be able to export their high-quality products to the Philippines, including critical materials for nuclear power. In fact, South Korea wants to help us revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
A Plausible and Preferable Future for Therapists
What do these all mean for us Filipino therapists? Obviously, we still won’t be earning as much as our counterparts in high-income countries before 2075. On the other hand, we need not flee the Philippines out of fear of a war with either China or Malaysia. We need to be vigilant though because although war with these two countries is unlikely in the near future, it is still a possibility. The peace and order situation will also lead to increased economic activity which will generate jobs that will increase household incomes. The more Filipinos have money, the more they’ll be able to afford therapy services if they want to pay out-of-pocket. Higher revenue collections also mean that there will be additional funds for our Universal Health Care, which subsidizes certain therapy packages for low-income families.
A greater demand for allied health services will ensure that therapists will at least get decent pay that will allow them to live comfortably in the Philippines, especially since there are very few of us. More jobs in the country will also allow therapists to explore more part-time non-clinical roles. That way, they won’t have to leave their professions should they need to diversify their sources of income without sacrificing their health. In addition, the increased supply of various goods from foreign countries will lower prices, which will make it more affordable for therapy center owners to purchase high-quality items that they need for their clinics. They might even pay for lower electric bills too if the Philippines gets a nuclear power plant. Our oil in Palawan and our gas from the Reed Bank might also be able to lower the price of electricity. Thus, the therapy centers will get to allot more funds to developing their clinical services. That's a major win for our patients!
As an OT with professional interests in vocational rehabilitation and health technology, I look forward to the jobs that will be created for persons with disabilities (PWDs). I’ll be happy to help design new assistive technologies that will enable them to perform their duties. I am also excited to partner with inclusive Philippine schools in re-aligning their programs for helping students with diverse abilities to thrive in the future workplace. I still hope to pursue these specialties abroad should the Lord give me the chance to work there. It’s just that I don’t have to jump into the next job offer from Australia out of panic over the Philippine situation. Neither should a lot of Filipino therapists! If I will never get another opportunity to work abroad, then that’s another dream that I will grieve over because it means a lot to me. Still, it will be a great honor to be part of my Motherland’s journey to becoming a high-income country that is a blessing to the world.
(Photo by Jack Simpson)
Your patriotism, enthusiasm and skills combined with your faith in GOD can surely propel you to reach your goals by the grace of our LORD. Great ideas! You could also perhaps get more specialization and life experience working in first world countries too. And then come back to our Inang Bayan and impart what you have learned and earned. That way you hit two birds ( Sorry bird watchers 😉) with one stone. Go for it!😊