Commenting on the COVID-19 exposing a healthcare system in the Philippines that is failing its nurses, SMU Assistant Professor of Sociology Yasmin Ortiga who has been studying nurses and migration for 10 years said nursing is “one of the most expensive courses that you can ever major in” in the Philippines. They must invest in a board exam, gain two years of experience in a Philippine hospital, and pay additional fees such as for language exams if they plan to work in certain countries, she cited.