A proposal seeking to raise the salary grade of nurses in public health institutions to Salary Grade 19 is being pushed in the Senate to address low pay and staffing shortages.
Erwin Tulfo said nurses should be regarded as among the country’s modern-day heroes, citing their service in hospitals, rural health units, and disaster response operations. Despite their critical role, Tulfo said many nurses continue to receive compensation that is insufficient for their workload and responsibilities.
The senator noted that several public hospitals remain understaffed, with reports showing some nurses attending to as many as 40 patients at a time. He said this situation reflects a poor nurse-to-patient ratio that affects both the welfare of health workers and the quality of patient care.
To help resolve the issue, Tulfo is pushing for an upgrade in the salary grade of public nurses from Salary Grade 15 to Salary Grade 19. He said improving compensation could help retain nurses in government service and reduce the outflow of Filipino nurses seeking better-paying jobs elsewhere.
Tulfo pointed out that the country continues to face a shortage of nurses, largely because many choose employment opportunities that offer higher and more sustainable income. He said addressing pay concerns is a key step toward strengthening the public health system.
If approved, the implementation of the proposed salary upgrade will be handled by the Department of Health in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management. The two agencies will be tasked with drafting the necessary guidelines and regulations for its rollout.
Tulfo said he will continue to push the measure as part of efforts to improve working conditions for health workers in public institutions.
