The House committee on appropriations has approved a substitute bill seeking to provide for a “Comprehensive Nursing Law” aimed at improving the country’s health care system.
The still unnumbered bill repeals Republic Act 9173, otherwise known as the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.”
The bill, approved by the committee chaired by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, substituted House Bills 1372 and acknowledged the State policy to uphold the dignity of the nurses and assume responsibility for the protection, respect, and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures towards competent and relevant nursing practice for the health and safety of the public, just and humane conditions of work, and promotion of professional growth.
The proposal, principally authored by House deputy speaker and Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla and ANG NARS party-list Rep. Leah Paquiz, said the State recognizes nurses as prime movers of national development and contributors to international cooperation and understanding.
Moreover, the State guarantees the delivery of accessible, affordable and available quality health care to all the people through implementation of adequate and competent Nursing Personnel System throughout the country, Padilla said.
Paquiz said the bill provides for the creation and composition of a Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing whose seven members shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Board shall be headed by a chairperson to serve for one year without reelection.
To be a member of the Board, the bill provides that one must be a natural-born citizen and resident of the Philippines for the past five consecutive years; a nurse in the country and holder of valid and updated certificate of registration and current professional identification card; a holder of a master’s degree in nursing and preferably with a doctorate degree conferred by a university duly recognized by the government; must have at least 10 years of continuous practice of the nursing profession prior to appointment; and must be of good moral character and has not been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude.
Among its powers and duties are to ensure the proper conduct of the Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam; issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration for the practice of nursing and ensure the widest publication through electronic and written media; and enforce and monitor safe and quality standard of nursing practice, the bill added.