Senate Bilite of the abrietnay TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 BEC 17 P6:09 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1634 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF AT LEAST ONE REGISTERED NURSE TO BE ASSIGNED FOR EVERY BARANGAY EXPLANATORY NOTE The Constitution provides that labor is a primary social economic force. It further emphasizes the importance of health development, mandating the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. Despite the Philippines being a leading exporter of the nursing workforce worldwide, a troubling trend has emerged. Recent studies reveal that 200,000 to 250,000 Filipino nurses have left the profession in the country, driven away by inadequate salaries, delayed benefits, overwhelming workloads, and job insecurity. Ironically, while our country grapples with a dearth of nurses, a surplus of Filipino nurses is thriving in various sectors both here and abroad, dramatically affecting the quality of healthcare accessible to Filipinos. In response to this crisis, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has called upon the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to step in and tackle the nursing shortage that is hampering effective healthcare delivery throughout the nation. This proposed measure aims not to improve retention of skilled nurses by providing them with meaningful opportunities that encourage them to build their careers in the Philippines. By creating a supportive environment and improving
working conditions, delivery of health services can be significantly enhanced across the country and avoid brain drain of medical professionals, especially nurses. With this initiative in place, the Philippines stands to uplift the quality of life for our nurses while also addressing the critical challenges posed by the nursing shortage in our healthcare system. Together, we can pave the way for a healthier future for all Filipinos. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR лас
Benate Olice of the decretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session DEC 17 P6:09 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No1634 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF AT LEAST ONE REGISTERED NURSE TO BE ASSIGNED FOR EVERY BARANGAY Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - The State affirms labor as a primary social
2 economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. 3 Towards this end, it is further declared the policy of the State to promote a sustained 4 and cultivated reservoir of national talents, preserving the skills and aptitude of our 5 trained professionals, particularly our nurses, through the utilization and maximization 6 of their medical knowledge that will likewise help promote the right of the people to 7 health, thereby achieving the realization of a healthy and productive citizenry.
Sec. 2. Employment of Nurses in Every Barangay. - A program is hereby
9 established herein for the purpose of improving the delivery of public health care services to the poorest communities in rural areas and underprivileged communities in urban areas, while providing gainful employment to registered nurses.
Sec. 3. Role of Local Government Units. - Each local government unit (LGU) is
mandated to employ one (1) registered nurse in every barangay within its jurisdiction.
Sec. 4. Recruitment, Selection, and Training. - The LGUs shall secure the
assistance of the Department of Health (DOH) in recruiting, selecting, and in training the registered nurses employed by LGUs to ensure their capability in addressing public health concerns of the barangays.
The DOH is hereby mandated to issue guidelines in setting the qualifications of 2 nurses to be deployed to the barangays as well as come up with a module for the 3 relevant training of these nurses.
Sec. 5. Stipend. - Nurses employed under the program shall be entitled to a
5 monthly stipend preferably equal to salary grade 15, consistent with the mandatory minimum entry-level pay for government nurses under Republic Act No. 9173 otherwise known as "The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002".
Sec. 6. Certification. - Nurses under this program are required to provide an
9 annual health status report regarding the average health of the barangay and can 10 provide suggestions to the LGU to improve the health of the citizens of the barangay.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH and the Department
12 of Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall promulgate the rules and regulations 13 necessary to implement the provisions of this Act within three (3) months from the effectivity its effectivity.
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
16 Act shall be initially charged to the funds of the respective LGUS. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the full implementation of this Act shall be included in the respective budget of the LGUs in the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,