DOH: Implementation of SG15 for entry-level gov't nurses not suspended

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday clarified that the implementation of the increase in the salary grade of entry-level government nurses was not suspended.

This came after Senate President Vicente Sotto III raised during the plenary debates for the proposed P212.7-billion budget for the DOH and its attached agencies that some hospitals have stopped implementing it following the clamor against the "demotion" of nurses with higher ranks.

Senator Pia Cayetano, who sponsors the budget, conferred with the DOH officials present at the session hall and explained to her colleagues that only the reclassification of nurse ranks II and above had been temporarily suspended.

"DOH issued a memorandum to suspend temporarily the implementation for incumbent for Nurse II and above positions for the meantime... 'Yung sa Nurse I implemented na po yun, they are given the Salary Grade 15," she said.

Sotto responded that this suspension stirred confusion among some local government units.

"Doon sa ibang LGU na-confuse diyan sa suspension. Sa pagkaka-confuse sa suspension 'di inimplement pati 'yung sa Nurse I. 'Yun ang complaint nila," he said.

The DOH said it would remind these LGUs to immediately implement the upgraded salary for entry-level government nurses while the Senate leader said he would forward the reports he had received.

The Department of Budget and Management Circular No. 2020-4 upgraded the salary grade of Nurse I position in public health institutions and provided for the adjustment of the position attributes earlier this year. -MDM, GMA News