Philippine Officials Visit Filipino Nurses in Gmunden, Austria

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Gmunden, Austria — A delegation of high-ranking officials from the Philippines paid a heartfelt visit to Filipino nurses working at Stiftung Liebenau, St. Joseph Nursing Home in Gmunden, Upper Austria. The delegation included Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne Caunan, MWO Administrative Officer Ferdinand Capati, DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, MWO Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnel Ignacio, and officials from the Philippine Embassy in Vienna.

The visit was a show of support and appreciation for the Filipino nurses, many of whom have worked at the nursing home for the past two years. The delegation sought to ensure that the healthcare workers who moved from the Philippines to Austria were being well cared for and were thriving in their new roles.

Thomas Adler, Director of Stiftung Liebenau, expressed his gratitude for the visit and stressed the significance of the Philippine officials’ gesture. “We are honored by your visit to Upper Austria and greatly appreciate your commitment to ensuring that your healthcare workers are in good hands,” Adler said. He highlighted the positive impact of Filipino nurses on nursing homes and thanked the Philippine government for its support.

Also present during the visit was Dorris Kollar-Plasser, the regional chief of Stiftung Liebenau. She welcomed the officials and conveyed her appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the Filipino nurses. “Their presence here has greatly enhanced our institution,” Kollar-Plasser remarked.

The Filipino nurses, in turn, expressed gratitude to the visiting officials for their mindfulness and commitment. The gesture touched many of them, making them feel valued and supported even far away from their home country. “We are truly grateful for the visit. It shows us that we are not forgotten and that our welfare remains a priority for our government,” said one of the nurses.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac emphasized the importance of ensuring that overseas Filipino workers are well-supported and that their rights and welfare are protected. He also expressed pride in the accomplishments of the Filipino nurses in Austria, noting their dedication to providing quality healthcare.

OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio reiterated the agency’s commitment to looking after the well-being of Filipino workers abroad. “We are here to make sure that you are comfortable, well taken care of, and that any challenges you face are properly addressed,” Ignacio stated.

The visit also strengthened bilateral ties between the Philippines and Austria, particularly in the field of healthcare. With the increasing demand for skilled healthcare workers across Europe, the Philippines has continued to be a key provider of trained professionals who contribute significantly to the health sectors in their host countries.

As the delegation departed, the atmosphere was filled with appreciation and a renewed connection between the Filipino nurses and their home country. The visit reaffirmed the Philippine government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of overseas Filipino workers, recognizing their vital role in contributing to communities abroad.

The visit by Philippine officials to Gmunden was more than just a ceremonial event—it was a testament to the Filipino spirit of solidarity, care, and community, even thousands of miles away from home.