THE Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (Pace) will seek the help of President Rodrigo Duterte in addressing the problems caused by a new circular of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) downgrading the salary grades of some government nurses.
Pace President Renelo Lastierre said the circular is demoralizing.
Lastierre added that Pace "sympathizes with all the 109 provincial government nurses affected by DBM Circular 2020- 4."
"Their salary grades were affected. Those who formulated the circular did not take into consideration that the downgrading of the salary grades of nurses one step will affect their functions. It will have an effect on the organizational structures of our hospitals," he said.
Lastierre added "downgrading caused demoralization among government nurses."
Lastierre said the union is going around the 10 district hospitals and the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital to get the sentiments of the nurses. They will also write the DBM and the Department of Health.
"We are also contacting other local government units and government unions in Western Visayas for a common stand on the issue and a common voice," he said.
He said the DBM circular covers all nurses working in government.
Under the DBM memorandum circular, the salary grade of those with positions from Nurse 2 to Nurse 7 has been downgraded one rank lower.
The modification of the nurses' positions was made with the upgrade of the entry-level nurses holding Nurse 1 with salary grade 11 to salary grade 15.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said the circular did not sit well with nurses especially those occupying key positions, whose salary grade level has been lowered down.
Lacson said they have no choice but to follow the instructions of DBM.