Cebu nurses seek PNoy's approval of Senate Bill 2720

CEBU, Philippines - Along with the collective effort of nurses nationwide, the Philippine Nurses Association Cebu is asking President Benigno Aquino III to look into Senate Bill 2720 or the Comprehensive Nursing Law towards quality health care system.

In a letter sent in March to the Office of the President, the Philippine Hospital Association asked for Aquino's attention on Senate Bill No. 2720 entitled "An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Nursing Law Towards Quality Health Care System and Appropriating Funds Therefore."

The PHA is the mother organization of medical practitioners in the country and more than 1,900 government and private-run hospitals.

In their letter, the organization expressed support on the provisions of the bill, except for Section 47.

"We respectfully and earnestly request your Excellency to have your economic team review the impact and effect of the provisions of Section 47 on the total health care environment before it is signed into law," the letter states.

Section 47 states that the minimum base pay of nurses working in governmental health institutions, upon entry, shall not be lower than Salary Grade (SG-15) […] In non-governmental and/or private health institutions, the minimum base pay for the nurses upon entry shall be equivalent to that of Salary Grade "15" in public hospitals and institutions.

"It will create disruption in the state of balance in the salary structure in hospitals. We believe that this provision constitute "class legislation" as it favors only one sector in the health care system to the exclusion of other health care providers equally important to the delivery of affordable health," the letter of PHA states.

Dr. Stephen Joseph Descallar, PNA Cebu president, said their group is pushing for the bill so that they can enjoy the minimum base pay for nurses upon entry.

"We believe that this bill will uphold the dignity of nurses and assume responsibilities for the protection, respect and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures towards competence and relevant nursing practice, humane working condition especially on nurse-patient ratio and professional growth," said Descallar.

"Raising the current salary of our nurses will have a significant impact to the morale of our nurses whom we considered an important asset to every hospital," Descallar added.

Nurses are paid at a minimum rate per day, especially in private hospitals. The PNA believes that Senate Bill 2720 will be the answer to their cause-promoting welfare of every Filipino nurse.

With this, PNA Cebu is inviting nurses in the region to visit their office to sign their letter of appeal to the president.  (FREEMAN)