Group of nurses gather round in a file photo.
MANILA, Philippines — Marlyn Dumandan is just one of the thousands of nurses in the country who are hoping for wage increase should the Comprehensive Nursing Law is enacted.
Marlyn says her salary of P18, 000 a month does not suffice the need of her family.
She adds that sometimes she is thinking of working overseas to earn more.
However, the thought of being away from her children who are still minors holds her back.
“The amount is not enough for the needs of a family of an ordinary employee. That’s why more nurses are forced to work abroad because our salary is not enough,” Dumandan narrated.
President Aquino vetoed the Comprehensive Nursing Bill that seeks to increase the basic pay for nurses to over P25,000.
The decision turned Marlyn’s hope to dismay.
“That P25,000 could be a big help to augment our income for our daily expenses.” she said.
NARS party-list is also disappointed by Pres. Aquino’s decision.
According to party-list representative Cong. Leah Paquiz, one of the reasons why Pres. Aquino vetoed the bill is because it would affect the financial capacity of hosital and could result to lay-off of employees and increase in the cost of health care services.
“A hospital would not run without a capital because that’s business. But they are depriving the nurses of additional source of income when they are sacrificing a lot. Those hospitals have been earning a lot and none of them have closed ever since.” Paquiz told UNTV.
Aside from increase in salary, the said bill also seeks protection for nurses against exploitation and illegal recruitment.
Thus, the group is determined to continue the fight for the welfare of nurses though they have not secured a seat in Congress.
(JOAN NANO/UNTV NEWS)
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