(Eagle News) — The Senate on Wednesday, Nov. 27, approved the increase in the basic salary of nurses in government hospitals to P31,545 per month.
In a statement, Senator Bong Go said the increase to a salary grade not lower than a salary grade 15 , was made possible by an appropriation of P3.173 billion for that purpose in the proposed national budget for 2020.
Senator Panfilo Lacson had recommended sourcing the amount from the P12.469B under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund.
As the funds are already there under MPBF, government nurses need not wait for the passage of legislation or the availability of funds to be provided by the Department of Budget and Management, Lacson added.
“They don’t have to wait six months or another year. By January once we enact the (General Appropriations Act) for 2020, ang salary upgrade nila is taken care of,” Lacson said.
According to Go, the increase is pursuant to a Supreme Court decision upholding the validity of Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.
“This is a long overdue compensation denied to them,” Go said.
