TUCP Party-list Representative and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza has filed House Bill No. 9301 or the proposed new Philippine Nursing Practice Act, a landmark measure seeking to overhaul and modernize the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002. The bill was crafted and filed in close consultation with former Ang Nars Party-list Representative Leah Paquiz, Chair of the Philippine Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing (PRBoN) and key nursing stakeholders, including representatives from the PRBoN, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), and the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN), among various other stakeholders.
“Especially as staying healthy once again topped the personal concerns of 67% of respondents in the latest OCTA Research survey, it is high time that we legislate higher wages, better career opportunities, and stronger professional standards for our nation’s nurses. There is no greater investment in our healthcare system than investing in those who dedicate their lives to caring for the health and well-being of our people,” stated Mendoza.
Among the key features of the proposed law are mandatory minimum salary of at least Salary Grade 15 (SG 15) for nurses, prohibition of exploitative unpaid and underpaid work arrangements, establishment of clear career progression and specialization pathways, evidence-based safe staffing standards, expanded nursing leadership and governance mechanisms; and national nursing workforce planning and management system.
“We call on our colleagues in the House and our counterparts in the Senate to get back to work and work triple time in passing this reform towards building a healthcare system that works better for both our nurses and our people: a win-win reform that uplifts workers, strengthens professional standards, and delivers better healthcare outcomes for all,” underscored Mendoza.
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