Republic of the Philippines 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
     Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
House Bill No.___________ 
Introduced by REP. JUMEL ANTHONY I. ESPINO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR AN UPGRADE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE OF 
NURSES AND ALLIED MEDICAL AND HEALTH WORKERS IN ALL 
PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for nurses and allied 
medical workers greatly and urgently, not only in the Philippines but also 
worldwide. 
Our nurses and allied medical and health workers have been at the 
frontline in this fight against the Covid virus, some have sacrificed their time 
from their families and loved ones, some even losing their lives in the process. 
For over a year now, our nurses and allied medical workers have worked 
tirelessly to save lives and protect our communities from contacting this 
infectious disease. However, even if our nurses and allied medical workers are 
essential parts of our preparation and response to health challenges, we have not 
strengthened our nursing and allied medical workers especially in promoting 
their job through proper compensation. Even the Department of Labor and 
Employment has recognized this shortcoming and has recommended that an 
increase in the salary rate of nurses and other medical workers in the private 
sector should be immediately addressed. 
Last year, (2020), Republic Act 11466 was signed into law raising the 
salaries of government nurses from Salary Grade 11 (about P22,000) into Salary 
May 4, 2021
11:18 am
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Grade 15 (about P 32,000). Their counterpart in the private sector, however are 
still receiving a miniscule salary of about P 10,000 and below. 
This poor compensation and working condition often motivate Filipino 
nurses and allied medical workers to seek employment overseas as they need to 
support their families. Medical workers’ migration has depleted our healthcare 
workforce and has created a severe problem for our health system. 
This bill seeks to improve the compensation situation of our nurses and 
allied medical workers in private hospitals and healthcare institutions in our 
country. It will also help turn the tide against the emigration of our health 
professionals and strengthen our healthcare workforce and health care system. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
HON. JUMEL ANTHONY I. ESPINO 
 2nd District, Pangasinan


     Republic of the Philippines 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
     Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
House Bill No.___________ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. JUMEL ANTHONY I. ESPINO 
AN ACT 
 PROVIDING FOR AN UPGRADE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE 
OF NURSES AND ALLIED MEDICAL WORKERS IN ALL 
PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS 
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 " Upgrade of 
Minimum Wage for Nurses And Allied Medical Workers In Private Hospitals and 
Health Institutions Act of 2021" 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to ensure that the general welfare of Filipino health workers is promoted 
through adequate compensation and benefits as they provide quality and 
essential health services for all Filipinos. The government should likewise ensure 
that nurses and allied medical workers in the private sector are properly 
remunerated in order to encourage them to work locally and retain them to serve 
in the health sector.     
SECTION 3. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all private nurses and allied 
medical workers in all private hospitals and health facilities and institutions.  
SECTION 4. Upgrading the Salary Rate of Nurses and Allied Medical 
Workers in Private Hospitals and Health Institutions. - The minimum wage 
for private nurses and allied medical workers in all private hospitals and health 
institutions shall be upgraded to the rate comparable to the wage received by 
their respective public sector counterparts as set by Republic Act 11466. The 
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Department of Labor and Employment through the National Wages Productivity 
Commission shall set the minimum wage for nurses and allied medical workers 
in all the private hospitals and health institutions. 
SECTION 5. Benefits. – The benefits received by nurses and allied medical 
workers working in private hospitals or health institutions under the Labor Code, 
Republic Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, relevant laws, 
department orders, collective bargaining agreements, company benefits and 
other government announcements shall not be denied or be construed as 
diminished by this Act. 
SECTION 6. Penalty. — Any private hospital or health institution who violates 
the provisions of this Act shall be fined by not less than Five Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (Php 500,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (P 1,000,000) for 
each violation of this Act. 
Furthermore, any nurse or allied medical worker who is a victim of the violation 
of this Act shall be entitled to back wages, unpaid benefits and refund of 
attorney’s fees that the nurse or medical worker incurred in enforcing the claims 
under this Act. 
SECTION 7. - Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act 
that may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of 
nullifying other portions and provisions hereof as long as such remaining 
portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations and administrative regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national papers of general circulation or in the 
Official Gazette. 
Approved,