Advocating for Filipino Nurses' Salary Standards

Sep 6, 2024

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Lecture Notes: The Plight of Filipino Nurses Towards Salary Standardization

Key Historical Context

  • 1919: End of World War I and significant global changes.
  • The Philippines was a U.S. territory and promised independence under the Jones Law of 1916.
  • Progressive reformers targeted the Philippines for modernization, emphasizing education as a weapon for change.
  • Philippine Women’s University (PWU) was established in 1919 by seven Filipina pioneers, providing education specifically for women.
    • Pas Marquez Benitez: First president of PWU.
    • Jose Van Santos: First chairman of the board.
    • Francisca Tirona Benitez: Second president, helped transition the school to a university by 1932.

Overview of Philippine Women's University (PWU)

  • PWU became the first university for women in Asia, founded by Asians.
  • Known for quality education, moving to its main campus in 1934.
  • Co-educational since the 1970s.
  • Located in Metro Manila, accessible and surrounded by affordable housing.

Current Programs and Achievements

  • PWU offers undergraduate and graduate courses in various fields, including:
    • Business and Management: Adapts to industry needs.
    • Fine Arts and Music: Notable program outcomes.
    • Food Science, Dietetics, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, Nursing: Pioneered programs providing competitive education.
  • Plays a crucial role in preparing competent graduates for both local and global markets.

Webinar Introduction

  • Host: Angela Ducena.
  • House Rules: Questions via chat box; evaluation form to be filled post-webinar.
  • Nursing in the Philippines: Recognized but under-compensated profession; ongoing struggles for better salary and benefits.
  • Purpose of the webinar:
    1. Current status of nurses' salaries in the Philippines.
    2. Understanding government salary standardization efforts.
    3. Updates on the Philippine Nurses Association's plans.

Opening Remarks

  • Miss Christine Caballero welcomed participants and introduced the topic.
  • Emphasis on the importance of nurses during COVID-19 and ongoing struggles for fair compensation.

Guest Speaker Introduction

  • Mr. Melvin D. Miranda: An accomplished nurse and advocate for nurses' rights.
  • Background: Academic and professional journey through various nursing roles.
  • Focus: Advocacy for salary standardization for Filipino nurses.

Main Presentation by Mr. Miranda

Current Challenges Facing Filipino Nurses

  • Salary Standards and Inequities:
    • Salary range varies based on public/private sectors and local government capabilities.
    • Entry-level salaries for nurses remain low compared to other countries.
    • SG15 Implementation: Salary grade 15 introduced but implementation issues persist.

Key Factors Affecting Salary Standardization

  • External Factors:
    • Demand and supply of nurses.
    • Cost of living and economic conditions.
    • Societal perceptions and government control.
    • Labor unions and legislative actions.
  • Internal Factors:
    • Organizational ability to pay competitive salaries.
    • Employee loyalty and motivation.
    • Compensation policies can differ greatly across institutions.

Legislative Efforts and Advocacy

  • Historical background on salary standardization law and lobbying efforts.
  • Supreme Court Ruling: Validated the need for salary grade 15 for nurses in 2019.
  • Recent steps taken to implement SG15 for government sector nurses and ongoing advocacy for private sector inclusion.
  • Importance of continuous lobbying and legislative support to achieve fair wages for nurses.

Future Outlook

  • Continued efforts to ensure fair salaries and working conditions for nurses in the Philippines.
  • Encouragement for nursing students and new graduates to support future legislative efforts and advocacy for better compensation.

Questions & Answers

  • Addressed various questions about the future of nursing salaries and the impact of current legislation on the profession.
    • Focus on competitive salaries to retain nurses in the Philippines rather than working abroad.
    • The necessity of supporting the Comprehensive Nursing Bill for stronger legal backing and implementation.

Conclusion

  • Dr. Celeste de Macalangan expressed gratitude to all participants and emphasized continued advocacy for Filipino nurses.
  • Reminder for participants to fill out the evaluation form before leaving the session.