MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Nurses United (FNU) nurse group urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration to push for more benefits for Filipino nurses.

As the new administration started its plans and strategies, FNU appealed to the president to consider and include the welfare of the nurses. FNU president Maristela Abenojar said they already came up with a 10-point agenda that they plan to present to the new administration.

Nurses group asks Marcos for P50k entry-level salary

Their request is to prioritize a salary increase amounting to P50,000 for entry-level nurses in public and private hospitals.

“Top most po doon sa 10 na laman ng agenda ay itaas ang sahod ng nurses sa mga pampubliko at pampribado … gawin po itong P50,000 a month. ‘Yan po yung entry salary,” she said.

Abenojar explained that they came up with the amount based on the rising costs of living and inflation set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). She added that nurses’ welfare and benefits have long been overlooked as some nurses in private hospitals earn as low as P8,000 to P10,000 monthly. She said that while those in public hospitals are under Salary Grade 15 (P35,0000), not all of them receive the right amount because many are considered contractual workers.

Abenojar said the salary increase would greatly help Filipino nurses. She also warned that the country’s healthcare system might collapse if Filipino nurses choose to work abroad due to better wages and opportunities.

She presented statistics that showed 316,000 of the 917,000 Filipino nurses chose to work abroad. She lamented that 70% of healthcare workers still haven’t received their One Covid Allowances. Many nurses in private hospitals have yet to receive their special risk allowance (SRA) for January to June 2021. Many of the benefits that they receive are delayed.

Abenojar said they appreciated the President’s statements for the nurses and his confidence in improving the healthcare system during his inauguration speech. She said they hope it’s a sign of better things for Filipino nurses.

Earlier, Marcos remarked that “changes” will soon start for the Filipino nurses, who are considered the “best in the world.”

“Our nurses are the best in the world. They acquitted themselves with the highest distinction abroad, having suffered even the highest casualties. With the same exemplary dedication at home, they just got by,” he said.

“They are out there because we cannot pay them for the same risk and workload that we have back here. There will be changes starting tomorrow,” Marcos stressed.

— Sally, The Summit Express