CHR backs bill seeking to increase salary of nurses

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

FILE: A nurse prepares a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for the next student to receive it in Barangay Kaligayahan, Novaliches-Fairview in Quezon City on Thursday (July 7, 2022). (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez)

MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights is supporting a bill seeking to increase the salary of government nurses by upgrading their salary grade, which would boost their morale.

“It’s high time we prioritize our frontline service workers, particularly those in the health sector, who are among the essential pillars of our nation,” CHR chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said.

Palpal-latoc made the statement in support of Senate Bill No. 2694, authored by Senator Raffy Tulfo, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9173 or “The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” to upgrade the minimum salary grade of nurses from SG 15 to SG 19.

Nurses in government hospitals earn PHP36,000 pesos monthly at the least, the lowest wage among Southeast Asian countries, driving them to leave the country for better-paying jobs abroad.

A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) titled “Health at a Glance: Asia/Pacific 2022: Measuring Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage” reported that the Philippines is the largest exporter of nurses and doctors, resulting in a shortage of domestic health professionals.

Their data revealed that there are only four nurses per 1,000 patients in the country.

Citing the state’s responsibility to protect labor rights and promote equal employment opportunities, the CHR recognizes the necessity of policies that will provide Filipino nurses with economic opportunities and fair treatment.

“The Commission welcomes any initiatives that will finally address the longstanding call of Filipino nurses for increased pay. The salary raise is just a small gesture to recognize these modern heroes who answer the call of duty when the country needs them most,” Palpal-latoc said.

He also called on the government to address the shortage of nurses in the country and to comply with the rights set by the United Nations.