MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan is seeking to raise the monthly salary of entry-level government nurses for up to P30,500.
In a move to discourage nurses from leaving the country, Pangilinan proposed to significantly increase their wages. He said that Filipino nurses are choosing to take care of foreigners while "our kababayans hardly ever see a health professional."
In a data presented by the World Health Organization (WHO), as many as 22,000 Filipino health professionals leave the country to work abroad annually. And as more nurses leave, the health system in our country is deteriorating. It further showed that for Filipinos living in rural areas, only 10 percent benefit from the services of medical professionals.
The senator filed Senate Bill No. 260 which seeks to move the Salary Grade of entry-level public nurses to SG-15 or equivalent to P30,531.
Pangilinan cited data from the Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Local Employment (DOLE-BLE), which shows that entry-level nurses currently receive a salary ranging from P8,000 to P13,500. While those working in the government get a monthly compensation of P13,500, nurses in the private sector only receive about P10,000.
Aside from salary increase, the bill also aims to address the issue of "overwork" among Filipino nurses. It will establish relevant nursing practices, just and humane working conditions and the overall promotion of professional growth of nurses to enhance their general welfare and commitment to service.
Pangilinan said that by creating a comprehensive nursing law, it will help towards improving the quality of health care system in the country.
In a statement, Pangilinan said, "Ang layunin ng panukalang ito ay ang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng propesyon ng nursing at ang itaguyod ang kalidad ng pangangalagang pangkalusugan para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino."
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Senator Francis Pangilinan files Senate Bill 260 | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Kiko Pangilinan |
In a move to discourage nurses from leaving the country, Pangilinan proposed to significantly increase their wages. He said that Filipino nurses are choosing to take care of foreigners while "our kababayans hardly ever see a health professional."
In a data presented by the World Health Organization (WHO), as many as 22,000 Filipino health professionals leave the country to work abroad annually. And as more nurses leave, the health system in our country is deteriorating. It further showed that for Filipinos living in rural areas, only 10 percent benefit from the services of medical professionals.
The senator filed Senate Bill No. 260 which seeks to move the Salary Grade of entry-level public nurses to SG-15 or equivalent to P30,531.
 |
| Pangilinan seeks to raise public nurses to Salary Grade 15 | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Kiko Pangilinan |
Pangilinan cited data from the Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Local Employment (DOLE-BLE), which shows that entry-level nurses currently receive a salary ranging from P8,000 to P13,500. While those working in the government get a monthly compensation of P13,500, nurses in the private sector only receive about P10,000.
Aside from salary increase, the bill also aims to address the issue of "overwork" among Filipino nurses. It will establish relevant nursing practices, just and humane working conditions and the overall promotion of professional growth of nurses to enhance their general welfare and commitment to service.
Pangilinan said that by creating a comprehensive nursing law, it will help towards improving the quality of health care system in the country.
In a statement, Pangilinan said, "Ang layunin ng panukalang ito ay ang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng propesyon ng nursing at ang itaguyod ang kalidad ng pangangalagang pangkalusugan para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino."
— Sally, The Summit Express
