Makati council OKs pay hike for nurses

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Makati has increased the basic salaries of nurses.

Mayor Abby Binay said the city council approved an additional funding of P55.17 million for the adjustment of salaries of entry level nurses.

From salary grade 11 or P22,316, nurses at the city-run Ospital ng Makati will now receive salary grade 15 or P32,053 per month.

“This is a well-deserved reward for the nurses who have been working as frontliners in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic,” Binay said. “This is in recognition of their hard work and sacrifices.”

Binay said the salary increase for nurses is in response to the national government’s pay adjustment, which was retroactive to July this year.

With the pay hike, she expressed optimism that more nurses would continue to serve the public.

“We hope that they will be inspired to stay and serve their fellow Filipinos,” Binay said.

The local government hired 56 more nurses for the city health department and Ospital ng Makati in March.

Aside from their basic monthly salary, nurses and other healthcare workers in Makati receive free lodging, economic relief allowance, hazard pay as well as subsistence and laundry allowances.