PAY ISSUE | Nurses must be paid P30K a month, says Gordon, nurse group seeks dialogue with Duterte

April 30, 2021 , 01:09 PM

(April 30, 2021) – With the low number of nurses available in the country, Sen. Richard Gordon said the government should enforce a higher standardized pay for nurses to entice them to work in the country rather than go abroad.

Gordon, who’s also chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, told One News’ The Chiefs that despite being vital in the country’s plans in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, the salary of nurses remains very low compared to other jobs, including those of uniformed personnel.

“It’s the government who will have to enforce wages they want to give the nurses. That’s the reason why they’re leaving us, talagang mababa ‘yung suweldo rito,” said Gordon. “Dapat meron tayong standard of behavior, of service and pay. Mas mataas pa pay ng sundalo at pulis sa nurse eh. Tinaasan ng katakut-takot ‘yung (sahod ng) mga sundalo, ngayon naghahabol tayo.”

In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte authorized the increase in base salary, allowances, benefits, and incentives of soldiers and police officers, with high-ranking officials getting almost double their pay. Based on latest available data, soldiers and police officers earn a monthly salary average of P30,000 to P35,000.

“‘Di ko naman minamasama ‘yan, pero ‘yan ‘yung makikita talaga ‘yung judgement call ng mga presidente o ng mga namumuno,” said Gordon, who filed a Senate bill in 2019 to increase the basic salary of nurses to a salary grade 15 or P31,545 per month.

Data from the Department of Labor and Employment showed that nurses in the Philippines receive an average monthly salary of only P8,000 to P13,500, while those that work overseas could earn as much as P184,000 to 194,000 per month for entry-level.

Many health groups have lamented over the lack of nurses in hospitals as the country struggles to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is already looking into hiring non-practicing nurses or those working in different sectors.

“I’m suggesting ‘yung mga magbo-board na doctors, nurses, puwede naman nang pumasok as medical assistants,” said Gordon. “Also, ‘yung ibang nurses na nagtatrabaho sa offices, airlines, habang ‘di pa naman buo ang trabaho, puwede natin tawagin. They can all help out.”

Filipino Nurses United president Maristella Abenojar, meanwhile, told Ted Failon and DJ Chacha sa Radyo5 that the Department of Health has agreed to continue giving hazard pay to healthcare workers despite being under quarantine or those with work-from-home arrangements.

Along with this, Abenojar added they will continue their push to have a dialogue with Duterte regarding the growing concerns of healthcare workers

“‘Yung sinasabing budget para sa SRA (special risk allowance) na P60 billion kung naaprub ‘yun at ‘yung requirements sa DBM (Department of Budget and Management) sa salary ng Nurse II at ihihinto sa demotion ng rank sa nurses, ilan lamang ito sa mga gusto naming marinig,” said Abenojar.

(Kiko Demigillo/PM)

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