Upgrading the Minimum Salary Grade of Nurses Working in Public Health Institutions

Senate Office of the set etary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEC 15 P3:45 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1612 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo 1 4. AN ACT UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF NURSES FROM SALARY GRADE 15 TO 19, AMENDING

SECTION. 32 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173, OTHERWISE

KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002" Nurses in the Philippines are heroes compassionate, steadfast, hardworking, and selfless. They serve in hospitals, rural health units (RHUs), and disaster response operations. However, their current compensation remains insufficient and does not reflect the critical importance of their work. In some hospitals, nurse to patient ratios could go as high as 1:40 due to understaffing.' Our country continues to face a growing shortage of nurses, driven largely by low salaries and the lack of competitive opportunities in the local healthcare system. Improving their compensation is necessary to retain skilled nurses, strengthen healthcare services, and ensure that quality care remains accessible to all Filipinos. 'https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/underpaid-understaffed-philippine-nurses-seek-higher- pay-ahead-of-sona-0940, accessed last 04 December 2025.

This bill seeks to upgrade the minimum salary grade level of nurses from salary grade 15 to 19. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Office of the Rutcetary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 DEC 15 P3:45 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1612 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF NURSES FROM SALARY GRADE 15 TO 19, AMENDING SEC. 32 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 9173 is hereby

amended to read as follows: "SEC. 32. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of nurses, the minimum base pay of nurses working in the public health institutions shall not be lower than [salary grade 15 SALARY GRADE NINETEEN (19) prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise known as the "Compensation and Classification Act of 1989": Provided, That for nurses working in local government units, adjustments to their salaries shall be in accordance with

Section 10 of the said law."

SEC. 2. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary for the

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year

available appropriations of the Department of Health (DOH). Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation shall be included in the annual general appropriations.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH and the

Department of Budget Management (DBM) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of

this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances,

rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,