The Committee on Appropriations of the House of  Representatives has given the go-signal to a measure creating a Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing in line with  government efforts to further improve the country’s health care system.

Under the proposed Comprehensive Nursing Law, the professional board is tasked to supervise and regulate the practice of the Nursing in the Philippines.

The Board is also responsible  for: ensuring the proper conduct of the Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam (PNLE); issuing, suspending, revoking or reissuing certificates of registration for the practice of Nursing; and enforcing and monitoring safe and quality standards of Nursing practice.

Among the authors of the bill are Deputy Speaker and Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Rep. Carlos Padilla and ANG NARS partylist Rep. Leah S. Paquiz, a partner of the National Unity Party (NUP) under the Coalition for Peace and Development.

The other authors of the bill are Representatives Andres Salvacion, Jr. of Leyte, Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. of the  ABAMIN partylist group.

Under the still unnumbered consolidated bill, the Board  is likewise empowered to “study the conditions affecting the Nursing profession in the country, and exercise the powers necessary to maintain efficient, ethico-moral, technical and professional standards in the practice of Nursing towards the optimal health and common good of the nation; ensure quality Nursing education; and source and utilize funds earmarked for national Nursing development.”

The bill repeals Republic Act 9173, otherwise known as the "Philippine Nursing Act of 2002."