Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. urged the nursing board passers of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP) to lend their expertise and services to the local government amid the in-demand offers for Filipino nurses abroad.
In a testimonial ceremony for the nursing board passers on Friday, Dec. 9, Sotto said there is no "return of service" contract given by the PLP Board of Regents and the local government that would mandate their nursing scholars to take work in Pasig City upon graduation for a period of time.
Both he and Jaworski recognized the higher financial incentives offered to nurses in foreign countries compared to the salaries of nurses in the Philippines.
Jaworski lamented how the excellence of their local nurses, especially those who passed the national board examinations, are being utilized to serve and care for foreign societies overseas.
"Ang totoo, naiintindihan ko naman po. Mas malaki talaga ang sweldo sa abroad. Kung talagang may pangangailangan, wala tayong choice, hindi natin pwedeng pigilan ang mga nurse natin (In truth, I understand. The salaries are significantly higher abroad. If there is an urgent need and there is no other choice, we cannot stop our nurses from leaving)," Sotto said.
"Pero ang pakiusap ko po sa inyo, hangga't kaya, kung maaari po magserbisyo muna tayo sa ating lokal na pamahalaan (But I ask you, if you can and are able, to please serve in our local government)," the mayor pleaded.
"I implore you to consider serving your country. And we in the city government of Pasig, pag kayo ay pinili mag trabaho lalo na sa ating lungsod, gagawin po natin lahat ni Mayor Vico para mapaganda ang inyong mga kinabukasan (If you choose to work in our city, Mayor Vico and I will do everything we can to help you create a good future)," Jaworski said.
The PLP College of Nursing achieved a grand milestone with a 100 percent passing rate in the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examinations (NLE) held last Nov. 22, 2022.
A total of 31 women and men were honored for their diligence, especially as they continued their education and training during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a reward to the students, Sotto and Jaworski announced that each of the 31 board passers will receive a bonus cash prize worth P5,000 from the local government.
As a further incentive, those among the 31 who will choose to work in the local government will be entitled to a signing bonus worth P15,000.
Sotto said he will also give P10,000 from his own pocket to Nurse Dominic Luis Murillo, who was among the top 15 passers of the NLE.
"Alam ko sa future careers ninyo, napakarami ninyong maseserbisyuhan at matutulungan. Marami kayong maisasalbang buhay. Ngayon palang pinasasalamatan ko na kayo (I know in your future careers, you will serve and help so many people. You will save many lives. As early as now, I salute and thank you)," Sotto said.
"Thank you for the pride that you give, not only to the PLP and the city of Pasig, but of course to every Pasigueno who dreams for brighter futures in our city" Jaworski said.
Present to celebrate the momentous event were the PLP Board of Regents, the city council, Ms. Shalani Romulo, the nursing graduates themselves, and their parents and guardians.