Lawmaker seeks inquiry into ‘demotion’ of gov’t nurses

Joseph Stephen ”Caraps” Paduano —CONGRESS.GOV.PH

MANILA, Philippines — House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano is seeking an inquiry into the complaints of government nurses against the issuance of the Department of Budget (DBM) Circular No. 2020-4 that adversely affects their employment status.

Paduano is referring to the circular dated July 17, 2020, that raised the entry level salary of government nurses from Salary Grade (SG) 11 or about P22,000 to SG 15 or about P32,000 a month.

The circular effectively demoted higher-ranking nurses, placing the Nurse II position with SG 15 to the lower position of Nurse I, but with the same salary grade as Nurse II.

On March 2, Paduano filed House Resolution No. 1616, calling on the appropriate House committee “to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the current plight of nurses in public health institutions.”

“We will not stop until justice is served to our registered nurses. They are our heroes and they deserve no less,” Paduano said.