Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL NO. ‘7798

Introduced by Congressman Federico S. Sandoval II

AN ACT
ASSIGNING ONE REGISTERED NURSE FOR EVERY PUBLIC
SCHOOL IN THE PHILIPPINES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Schools are our children’s second home. As parents, we are hopeful that they get the
best education from these institutions to secure their future. More than enriching their
minds, we also want that they remain healthy and strong. Mens sana in corpore sano: a
healthy mind in a healthy body, as the saying goes.

In order to ensure holistic development for them, it is proposed that a registered nurse
be assigned by the national government to every public school. Aside from applying
first-aid and/or attending to emergency cases in schools, these nurses can be tapped to
lecture on a wide variety of lessons to include proper hygiene, nutrition, and other
health tips to instill in them the value of giving utmost importance to their health.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ke
whe ICKY’ S. SANDOVAL II


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

7798
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Congressman Federico S. Sandoval II

AN ACT
ASSIGNING ONE REGISTERED NURSE FOR EVERY PUBLIC
SCHOOL IN THE PHILIPPINES

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 “NURSE SA
PUBLIC SCHOOLS LAW OF 2018.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the policy of the State
to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them. In particular, the State shall provide
comprehensive health care services for the children and the youth, in order
to nurture healthy and productive citizens. Towards this end, it is further
declared to be the policy of the state to give due recognition to the important
role and contributions of registered nurses who promote the rights and
welfare of and provide vital health services to the people.

Section 3. Employment of Nurses in Public Schools. - The Department
of Education, in coordination with the Department of Health and other
concerned agencies, shall be mandated to employ at least one (1) registered
nurse in every public school for the purpose of improving the delivery of


public health care services and providing relevant and timely education on
wellness, hygiene, sanitation and other health safety measures to public
school students, while providing gainful employment to registered nurses
and utilizing their professional competencies.

Section 4. Recruitment, Selection, and Training. - The Department of
Education shall secure the assistance of the Department of Health in
recruiting, selecting, and training, the registered nurses employed by public
schools to ensure their capability in addressing the public health and
wellness concerns of the students.

For this purpose, the Department of Health is hereby mandated to
issue guidelines setting the qualification of nurses to be deployed to public
schools and develop a module for the relevant training of these nurses. The
guidelines to be set shall in no case discriminate against the hiring of fresh
graduates or newly passed registered nurses.

Section 5. Minimum Qualifications of Nurses. - Nurses engaged
under this Act shall have the following minimum qualifications: must have
a valid RN license issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission; must
be willing to relocate to the assigned area for a designated period; and must
have passion for public health.

For this purpose, the Department of Health and the Department of
Education is hereby mandated to give preference to the registered nurses
within the area of the public schools, preferably nurses who are residents of
the local government unit where the school is located.

Section 6. Stipend. - Nurses employed under this Act shall be entitled
to a monthly stipend equal to Salary Grade 15, or as otherwise provided by
law, consistent with the mandatory minimum entry-level pay for
government nurses under Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the
Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.

Section 7. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the
initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budget
of the Department of Education. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary


for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
succeeding General Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty days
(60) from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education and the
Department of Health shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations, as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of
the provisions of this Act.

Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof
which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees,
executive orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with any
provision of this Act are thereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,