DBM assures prompt implementation of salary increase for Nurse II

Government nurses in Nurse II position will finally get the salary hike after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured implementation of the upgrade in their Salary Grade. 

In a statement released Monday, DBM said that it "welcomes the decision of the Office of the President (OP) to upgrade the salary grade (SG) of Nurse II from SG 15 to SG 16 and to retain the position titles of Nurse III to Nurse VII with their corresponding SGs."

On June 1, the Office of the President through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued a Memorandum to the Department of Health (DOH) and DBM regarding the modification of nurse positions. 

This is to address the issue on the implementation of Supreme Court's decision upholding the Salary Grade 15 for Nurse I, previously getting SG 11 salary. 

Through Budget Circular 2020-4, DBM implemented the decision on Nurse I but “demoted” Nurse II to VI one level below, causing uproar from nurses in these positions. The decision of OP resolves the impasse, giving Nurse II one step higher SG 16, and retaining the rest of nurse postions. 

DBM clarified that "it is not its intention to deceive our nurses as we have been consistent in saying that absent of any legal basis to effect the upgrading of the salary grade of the Nurse II position, the provisions of Budget Circular No 2020-4 will continue to take effect consistent with the decision of the Supreme Court in Ang NARS Party-List, et. al. vs. the Executive Secretary, et. al (G.R. No. 215746)." 

"DBM is currently in the process of crafting the procedural guidelines to implement this decision and to ensure that the same will be implemented, consistent with existing rules and regulations. Consultations with the Department of Health (DOH) and the OP are also scheduled by the DBM to ensure the availability of funds for the purpose," it added. 

"Rest assured that the DBM will promptly act to implement this decision as soon as pertinent details on procedures and funding are settled with the DOH and the OP."