Iloilo grants incentives to PNLE topnotchers

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government honored 14 Ilonggo nurses who placed in the Top 10 of the November 2025 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (PNLE), granting them cash incentives ranging from PHP 10,000 to PHP 20,000.

The recognition was conferred during the 26th regular session of the 15th Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

The awardees received resolutions of commendation and incentive checks in accordance with Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-295.

Under the ordinance, individuals who place in the Top 10 of board, Bar and other licensure examinations are entitled to incentives.

Top 1 receives PHP 20,000, Top 2 through Top 5 receive PHP 15,000, and Top 6 through Top 10 receive PHP 10,000.

To qualify, recipients must have been residents of Iloilo province for at least six months and be registered voters of the province.

They must also rank among the Top 10 highest placers in the licensure examination.

Topnotchers are required to formally apply to avail themselves of the incentives.

The awardees were identified as Top 1 George Wilson T. Escordial of Miagao; Top 4 Tisha Belle Paciente of Passi City; Top 4 Ashleigh Gea B. Abangan of Oton; Top 5 Sharmaine Grace A. Navarro of Miagao; Top 6 Aurela D. Elgario of Oton; Top 7 Gwyneth L. Tiongson of Cabatuan; Top 8 Gayle B. Gumbao of Barotac Nuevo; Top 8 Addison Jovann A. Garrido of Alimodian; Top 8 Charlize D. Baltazar of Dumangas; Top 9 Kale F. Ezpeleta of Igbaras; Top 9 Nafritz Floyd P. Matucan of Passi City; Top 9 Margie T. Tanato of Tubungan; Top 10 Shem B. Panganiban of San Miguel; and Top 10 Angel Lou C. Rala of San Dionisio.

All 14 topnotchers are graduates of the West Visayas State University College of Nursing in La Paz, Iloilo City.

The university has consistently ranked among the country’s top-performing institutions in nursing licensure examinations in recent years.

Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque congratulated the awardees and all PNLE passers.

She said the continued strong performance of Ilonggos in board and licensure examinations reflects the “intellect, resilience and determination” of the province’s graduates.

Debuque expressed hope that the achievements of the topnotchers would inspire future generations of Ilonggo nurses to pursue excellence and contribute to quality health care service in the province and beyond.