NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENA.
S. B. No. ^^8
of tl)i'
72 jUL 14 P3 ‘44
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF NURSES FROM 
SALARY GRADE 15 TO 19, AMENDING SEC. 32 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people (Article II, Section 15) and to undertake 
appropriate health human resource development responsive to the country's needs 
and problems (Articles XIII, Section 12).
Filipino healthcare workers are the backbone of our health system and are 
essential to the realization of Universal Healthcare in the country. They are the unsung 
heroes of the modern times as they bravely faced all the risks and made the biggest 
sacrifices by putting their lives at peril while treating patients afflicted by the deadly 
COVID-19 virus.
Despite all the heroism, the poor situation of healthcare workers in the country 
remains. In fact, recent research made by data aggregator iPrice showed that Filipino 
nurses earn the least among its peers in the Southeast Asian region. According to the 
research, experienced Filipino registered nurses only earn about Php40,381/month, 
which is 57% less than the next lowest paid registered nurses of Php63.2k/month in 
Vietnam. Singaporean nurses, on the other hand, earn 486% more or at 
Php274.8k/month.
This proposed bill aims to increase the minimum salary grade level of nurses in 
public hospitals from Salary Grade 15 to Salary Grade 19. Ensuring that our nurses 
receive adequate compensation is not just a mere way to acknowledge all their


hardships; it is also a critical step to assure that our country will continue to have 
skilled medical professionals and quality healthcare, both of which are essential to 
improving the welfare of our people.
In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


I
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B No. 038
s-etu-rr
^;T^i©aicr of r!)C
72 JUL14 P3:44
RlXEIVliD b'l.
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF NURSES FROM 
SALARY GRADE 15 TO 19, AMENDING SEC. 32 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9173, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 9173 is hereby amended to read as
2 
follows:
3 
"SEC. 32. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to
4 
service and professionalism of nurses, the minimum base pay of nurses working
5 
in the public health institutions shall not be lower than [salafy gfadc 4S]
6 
SALARY GRADE NINETEEN (19) prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758,
7 
otherwise known as the "Compensation and Classification Act of 1989":
8 
Provided, That for nurses working in local government units, adjustments to
9 
their salaries shall be in accordance with Section 10 of the said law."
10 
Sec. 2. Appropriations. -The amounts necessary for the implementation of this
11 
Act shall be charged against the current year available appropriations of the
12 
Department of Health (DOH). Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous
13 
implementation shall be included in the annual general appropriations
14 
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH and the Department
15 
of Budget Management (DBM) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
16 
to implement the provisions of this Act.


1 
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including
2 
rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified
3 
accordingly.
4 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
5 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
6 
continue to be in full force and effect
7 
Sec. 7. EffectMty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
8 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,