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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9463
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
EXPANDING THE EDUCATION PATHWAY TO A NURSING PROFESSION, 
CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN NURSING (ADN) 
PROGRAM 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has long been a significant source of healthcare 
professionals, particularly nurses, sought after by foreign employers and 
governments. While the country has been a leading supplier of healthcare 
workers, with around 240,000 Filipino nurses working in OECD countries, recent 
challenges have exposed gaps in our healthcare workforce. 
In response to job market mismatches, the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) imposed a moratorium on new nursing programs in 2010, 
which was only lifted in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained our 
healthcare system, leading to a temporary ban on the overseas deployment of 
Filipino health professionals, imposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment 
Administration (POEA). 
To meet our healthcare needs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), 
we require a more substantial healthcare workforce. However, we currently 
have a significant shortage of doctors and nurses. Filling this gap will take years, 
even if all licensed health professionals were to practice in the country. The 
reality is that many of them work abroad. 
This bill has two primary objectives. First, it aims to address the healthcare 
workforce shortage by offering a new, shorter pathway for nursing education, 
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making it more accessible to financially challenged students. Shorter but quality 
education will reduce the waiting time for deployable healthcare workers, 
ultimately improving healthcare delivery. 
Second, this bill creates new employment opportunities for Filipinos, 
whether they choose to work locally or internationally. The government's 
responsibility is to ensure that these healthcare professionals are retained in the 
country to serve their fellow Filipinos, thereby addressing employment needs 
and supporting families. 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
 
 
 
 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 
 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9463
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
EXPANDING THE EDUCATION PATHWAY TO A NURSING PROFESSION, 
CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN NURSING (ADN) 
PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “ Nursing 
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Education Pathway Act of 2023.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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state to protect and promote the health and well-being of the people and 
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provide employment opportunities for all by offering different education 
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pathways for the practice of nursing through quality and relevant nursing 
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education at par with global standards.  
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SECTION 3. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program. – The 2-year 
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Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program shall be offered by a qualified 
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Higher Education Institution (HEI) with an existing Bachelor of Science in 
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Nursing (BSN) Program.  
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SECTION 4. Accreditation. – The CHED shall set the policies and 
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standards for the creation of an ADN Program curriculum and issue the 
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necessary accreditation for the same.  
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SECTION 5. Inspection. – The Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing 
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(PRBN) shall prescribe and examine the HEI facilities that offer or seek to offer 
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an ADN Program to conform with the quality and standard of nursing education 
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set by the regulating authorities.  
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SECTION 6. Licensure Examination. - The PRBN shall formulate and 
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conduct a licensure examination for graduates of ADN, distinct and separate 
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from the licensure examination for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
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graduates. It shall issue license certificates to ADN examination passers for the 
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practice of nursing in accordance with Republic Act 8991, otherwise known as 
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the PRC Modernization Act of 2000.  
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Provided, that the ADN licensure examination may be taken by BSN 
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graduates.  
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Provided, further, that BSN graduates who successfully passed the ADN 
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licensure but do not possess a BSN license certificate shall perform nursing 
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practice prescribed by the PRBN under this law. 
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SECTION 7. Regulation on Nursing Practice. - The Board of Nursing shall 
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prescribe the guidelines and parameters for the practice of nursing by licensed 
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ADN graduates.  
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days 
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from the promulgation of this Act, the CHED and the PRBN shall formulate the 
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necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.  
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not hereby affected shall remain in 
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full force and effect. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
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regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of 
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this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
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the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general 
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circulation, or on a website provided for by law. 
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Approved,