Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR NURSES APPRECIATION THROUGH RAISED SALARIES 
(NARS) BY UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF ALL 
PUBLIC NURSES FROM SALARY GRADE 11 TO 15 IN ALL PUBLIC 
HOSPITALS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, AND 
INCREASING THE SALARY RATE OF ALL PRIVATE NURSES IN ALL 
PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is one of the largest migrant-sending countries in the 
world and among the world’s largest suppliers of nurses. Over the years, 
Filipino nurses have continuously migrated in search of greener pastures 
overseas while those who remain in the country, often opt to bring their 
services to other relatively lucrative sectors which do not involve the practice 
of their profession. 
At the onset of the pandemic, health workers including nurses 
courageously stood their ground to serve the Filipino people at the frontline. 
Although the State has attempted to address this major loss in health 
sector of the country through the enactment of the Philippine Nursing Act of 
2002 or the Republic Act No. 9173, it was never implemented on the account 
of the failure of allocation of funds.  
In 2016, Executive Order No. 201 approved the entry salary for nurses 
with Salary Grade (SG) 11 at P20,754 per month for the fourth tranche. 
Meanwhile, nurses in the private sector receive less than P10,000 per month, 
which is even lower than the mandated minimum wage in the National Capital 
Region at around Php17,100 per month or Php570 per day.  
November 7, 2022
8:20 am
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This unjust situation is further aggravated by the challenges of the 
pandemic and the inadequate implementation of benefits as mandated by the 
Magna Carta of Public Health Workers or Republic Act No. 7305, such as 
overtime pay, night shift differential, on-call pay, and hazard pay.  
This bill seeks to upgrade the salaries received by the public nurse by 
raising the minimum salary grade level of nurses from Salary Grade 11 
(Php25,439.00) to 15 (Php35,097.00) and to increase the minimum salary rate 
of Private Nurses to P20,000.  
This measure ensures the dignity of Filipino nurses and assumes 
responsibility for the protection, respect, and improvement of the nursing 
profession by instituting measures that will ensure the adaption of just and 
humane conditions of work and the promotion of professional growth. This 
bill also aims to ensure that mandated benefits are provided to encourage our 
own nurses to work in the country instead of going abroad.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS  
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR NURSES APPRECIATION THROUGH RAISED SALARIES 
(NARS) BY UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF ALL 
PUBLIC NURSES FROM SALARY GRADE 11 TO 15 IN ALL PUBLIC 
HOSPITALS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, AND 
INCREASING THE SALARY RATE OF ALL PRIVATE NURSES IN ALL 
PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as “Nurses Appreciation 
through Raised Salaries (NARS) Act” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the Government’s concern and 
responsibility to provide adequate remuneration and benefits of health 
workers to enhance the general welfare and to attract and retain its rightful 
share of talents with the end in view of fulfilling the state policy of providing 
essential health services to all Filipinos.  
SECTION 3. Coverage. – This Act shall cover all government-compensated 
nurses working in public hospitals and other government institutions, and all 
private nurses in all private health facilities and institutions.  
SECTION 4. Upgrading the Minimum Salary Grade Level for all Public 
Nurses. – The present minimum salary grade level of a public nurse in 
hospitals, medical shall be upgraded from Grade 11 to Grade 15; Provided 
however that the salary upgrading shall be differentiated in accordance with 
the qualifications and length of service rendered by public nurses and shall 
not be prejudiced by across the board salary adjustments. 
SECTION 5. Increasing the Salary Rate of Private Nurses. – The present 
minimum monthly salary rate for private nurses shall be upgraded to Twenty 
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Thousand Pesos (Php20,000). Salaries of those occupying higher positions 
shall be adjusted accordingly.  
 
SECTION 6. Budget Required. – The Department of Health (DOH) shall come 
up with a specific programmed budget needed to cover the expenses for the 
upgrading in salary levels for all the corresponding nurses for a period of at 
least five years to allow the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to 
make the necessary budgetary adjustments to facilitate the smooth 
implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriation. – The amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act 
(GAA) for the year following the approval of this Act. Initial funds required for 
the implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the General 
Appropriations Act Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund and other sourced 
from the GAA Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund and other possible 
sources that may be determined by the Office of the President. The funds for 
private health facilities shall be included in the corporate budget. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of 
Health and the Department of Budget and Management shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations of the provisions of this Act.  
 
SECTION 9. Penalty. – A fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P500,000) and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than 
two (2) years shall be imposed upon any person violating any provision of this 
Act. 
 
Provided That, for government agencies, juridical persons, including local 
government units or any other entity, the head of the agency and Board of 
Directors, or executive officials of the agency, shall assume full responsibility 
for violations of this Act.  
 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, 
including rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed 
and/or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall 
be held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,