Hon. Leah Primitiva Goco Samaco-Paquiz, RN, DEd, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission's (PRC) Board of Nursing (BON) in the Philippines. This appointment marks a significant milestone in her distinguished career dedicated to advancing the nursing profession and advocating for the welfare of nurses nationwide.
Dr. Paquiz's journey in nursing began with her education at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1973. Her commitment to the field led her to serve as the National President of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) in 2007, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to the nursing community.
Beyond her roles in professional organizations, Dr. Paquiz ventured into public service as a representative of the ANG NARS Party-list in the 16th Congress of the Philippines. In this capacity, she championed policies aimed at improving the working conditions and compensation of Filipino nurses. Notably, she authored House Bill No. 151, seeking to address the challenges of unemployment and underemployment among nurses, and to put an end to exploitative practices such as "volunteerism" without proper compensation.
Dr. Paquiz's advocacy extended to legal actions aimed at upholding the rights of nurses. She was instrumental in filing petitions to implement Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, which mandates a minimum base pay for nurses working in public health institutions. Her relentless efforts underscore her commitment to ensuring that nurses receive fair compensation commensurate with their vital role in healthcare delivery.
A member of the Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society, her contributions have been recognized both locally and internationally. In 2023, Dr. Paquiz was honored with the Kim Mo-Im Policy Innovation and Impact Award, a testament to her impactful work in policy innovation within the nursing sector.
As the newly appointed Chairperson of the PRC's Board of Nursing, Dr. Paquiz is poised to leverage her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to further elevate the standards of nursing practice in the Philippines. Her leadership is expected to bring about significant advancements in the regulation and development of the nursing profession, ensuring that Filipino nurses are well-equipped, fairly treated, and adequately compensated in their crucial role of providing quality healthcare services.