New Nurses Oath Taking -overcrowded

Extortion,' overcrowding mar oathtaking of nurses

Thousands graduates who passed the nursing board examinations grappled with hours of delays, overcrowding and "extortion" at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City before even getting a chance to have their oaths taken as new nurses on a rain-drenched Tuesday.

Radio dzEC reported Tuesday that the oathtaking at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City started nearly two hours late as security guards turned away nurses and parents who came in droves to the site.

Several parents who were turned away complained that they even paid P300 to P400 for the tickets sold by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he will look into the complaint and will coordinate with PRC and Palace officials on the matter.

"Obviously there was some misrepresentation there. We'll see if we can coordinate with PRC Chairwoman Leonor Rosero or Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita," he said.

A PRC official interviewed by GMA News said the ticket fees were necessary because the government has to rent a suitable venue for the affair.

Jose Beltran, one of the parents who were turned away, said he and his family members were not given receipts for the tickets, which he said were marked "complimentary."

Other parents lamented that they were denied a "chance of a lifetime" to see their children finish years of hard work with an oathtaking ceremony.

Some parents who were turned away consoled themselves by buying T-shirts sold by hawkers outside the coliseum. The shirts were emblazoned with the message, "Anak Ko Nurse Na (My Child is Now a Nurse)" and were priced at P120 each.

The confusion over the "overcrowding" and the "extra" tickets delayed the start of the oath-taking to 10 a.m., even as some of the nurses were not able to take their oaths.

The oathtaking for the passers was scheduled for October 2 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City starting at 8 a.m. for surnames starting with A to J; and 1 p.m. for surnames starting with K to Z.

An advisory from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said those residing outside of Metro Manila who wish to claim their certificates via the DOLE Regional Offices are advised to register with the Regional Office nearest their place of residence/work.

The DOLE Central Office shall transmit in batches the Certificates within three days from receipt of notice from the Regional Office concerned.

Source: GMA7