Makati OKs almost P10K pay hike for gov’t nurses

ART THEME A man walks along Osmeña Avenue in Makati City, past a mural depicting a medical health worker carrying the weight of the world. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati government on Wednesday said it has approved the P9,737 monthly pay increase for city government nurses which may encourage nurses to stay in the country.

“We hope that with a more competitive salary, board-certified nurses who have opted to pursue a non-related career or go abroad will be inspired to stay and serve their fellow Filipinos,” Makati Mayor Abby Binay said in a statement.

Binay noted that the salary grade of a city nurse’s basic monthly pay was increased to P32,053 from P22,316 under the P55.17 million additional budget approved by the City Council.

On top of the monthly payment, city nurses and other health workers will also get relief allowance, hazard pay, subsistence allowance during enhanced community quarantine, and laundry allowance.

The medical frontline workers are also prioritized for the city health department’s free mass testing and vaccination against flu as well as pneumonia.

Meanwhile, the city government hired 56 nurses since the lockdown began in mid-March this year. This brings the total number of city-employed nurses to 493.

Of the 56 newly-hired nurses, 38 are for the Makati Health Department (MHD) and 18 for Ospital ng Makati (OsMak).

EDV