Upholding Section 32 of Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act, the Supreme Court has ruled that nurses working in the government should be getting a Grade 15 salary or not less than Php30,000.
Section 32 states that nurses in government offices should be receiving a minimum amount of Php30,000.
“Ruling in favor of the petitioners, the Court stated that Joint Resolution No. 4, being a mere resolution, cannot amend or repeal a prior law such as RA 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act. The same applies to EO 811 which is also not a law, but an executive directive,” the decision read.
Teachers are now receiving a basic pay of Php20,754 which was signed by former President Benigno Aquino III.
The SC however clarified that the law cannot compel the government to implement the ruling.
“Its implementation would necessarily require a law passed by Congress providing the necessary funds for it,” the decision said.
The petition for the basic salary was filed by Ang Nars Party-list in 2015.