One of Britain’s most senior parliamentarians has arrived in Manila and will stay here for two weeks to help Filipino nurses and undertake a series of meetings with Philippine government officials to discuss investment in the health workforce.

“I very much hope that during my short stay here, I’ll be able to not only learn about the (nursing) profession in the Philippines but also try to do something to help them not only now but in the future,” said British Member of Parliament (MP) David Amess who is one of nine parliamentarians participating in the Voluntary Service Overseas’ (VSO) Parliamentarian Volunteering Scheme this year.

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries.

Its Parliamentarian Volunteering Scheme, now on its third year, sends UK parliamentarians to developing countries where they each spend two to three weeks helping advise community organizations on matters relating to advocacy and campaigning.

The scheme not only supports VSO’s partner organizations by providing them with skilled volunteers, but also steps ups the MPs’ awareness and knowledge of global poverty issues, disability discrimination, and poor health systems.

Amess, who has been an MP since 1983 and has represented the constituency of Southend West since 1997, personally chose the Philippines as his destination for volunteer work.

The British Embassy pointed out that, as a VSO volunteer, Amess will stay in the Philippines for almost two weeks housed in modest quarters.

He will advise the Philippine Nurses’ Association (PNA) on promotion of management support and improvement in salaries and working conditions for nurses in the country.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie said the idea of volunteerism fits well with the UK Government’s” Big Society Program,” which is working to create a climate that empowers local people and communities to take a more active role in their communities.

The program, Lillie explained, is grounded on the premise that tackling the problems that beset a community is best done from the ground up.

"Coincidentally, this vision runs parallel to President Benigno Aquino III's call for volunteerism and citizen involvement towards greater transparency and accountability in government," Lillie said.

Lillie stressed that he is delighted to see "such an experienced and respected parliamentarian as Mr. Amess coming to experience life in Philippine society close-up."

"It's especially appropriate that he should be focusing on the needs and issues of the nursing profession, given that a large part of Britain's quarter-million Filipinos are themselves engaged in nursing in the National Health Service (NHS) and care homes," he added.