BACOLOD CITY: A total of 109 nurses working in Negros Occidental provincial government hospitals has been affected by a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) circular downgrading their positions. Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday said the provincial government had to comply with the DBM circular in its 2021 budget. Under the circular, the salary grade of those with positions from Nurse 2 to Nurse 7 have been downgraded one rank lower. Lacson explained that they had no choice but to follow instructions of the DBM. The modification of the nurses’ positions was made with the upgrade of the entry-level nurses holding Nurse 1 status with salary grade 11 to salary grade 15. “We just have to convince them (nurses) for a little sacrifice,” Lacson said. Under the same DBM circular, entry-level nurses working in public hospitals and health institutions, or Nurse 1, of the provincial government of Negros Occidental will enjoy higher pay starting this year. Nurse 1 carries a salary of P32,053 to P34,801, from the previous P22,316 to P24,391.