ILOILO — The Provincial Board honored Ilonggo nurses who landed in the Top 10 of the November 2025 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (PNLE), granting cash incentives and commendations.
The recognition, authorized under Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-295, allows the provincial government to confer Resolutions of Commendation and financial rewards on board topnotchers as a way of acknowledging academic excellence and professional dedication in the nursing field.
Under the ordinance, the Top 1 finisher received P20,000; those who placed Top 2 to Top 5 were granted P15,000 each; while Top 6 to Top 10 finishers received P10,000 each.
Honored were the following:
* Top 1: George Wilson T. Escordial – Miagao, Iloilo
* Top 4: Tisha Belle Paciente – Passi City, Iloilo
* Top 4: Ashleigh Gea B. Abangan – Oton, Iloilo
* Top 5: Sharmaine Grace A. Navarro – Miagao, Iloilo
* Top 6: Aurela D. Elgario – Oton, Iloilo
* Top 7: Gwyneth L. Tiongson – Cabatuan, Iloilo
* Top 8: Gayle B. Gumbao – Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
* Top 8: Addison Jovann A. Garrido – Alimodian, Iloilo
* Top 8: Charlize D. Baltazar – Dumangas, Iloilo
* Top 9: Kale F. Ezpeleta – Igbaras, Iloilo
* Top 9: Nafritz Floyd P. Matucan – Passi City, Iloilo
* Top 9: Margie T. Tanato – Tubungan, Iloilo
* Top 10: Shem B. Panganiban – San Miguel, Iloilo
* Top 10: Angel Lou C. Rala – San Dionisio, Iloilo
All awardees were graduates of West Visayas State University – College of Nursing, an institution long recognized for producing top-performing nurses in the national licensure examination.
Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque said the province’s recognition program reflects Iloilo’s commitment to honoring academic excellence and strengthening the local health workforce.
“May their remarkable achievements inspire future generations of Ilonggo nurses to strive for excellence, serve with compassion, and uphold the province’s proud tradition of quality healthcare service,” Debuque said.
Provincial officials said the incentives are intended not only as a reward but also as motivation for young Ilonggos to pursue excellence in healthcare professions, as the province continues to invest in human resource development in the medical and allied fields./PN