Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez last night said he is confident the Professional Regulation Commission and the Board of Nursing will allow the 476 West Negros College nursing graduates who passed the December nursing board examination to take their oaths and get their licenses.

Gonzalez, who was at the House of Representatives when the case of the WNC nursing graduates was discussed, told the DAILY STAR the PRC committed to allowing the passers to take their oaths and get their licenses after it listens to the examinees' explanations related to their qualifications.

The PRC and the BON officials had earlier filed charges against all of the passers for course overloading and said they would not release their nursing licenses until the hearing of the cases are concluded.

Gonzalez said it was agreed by the PRC and BON in the House Wednesday that they will listen to the examinees' explanations and interview them on their qualifications.

For the Bacolod passers, the Board of Nursing will listen to their explanations at the BAYS Center starting Monday. Similar hearings will be held in Manila and Iloilo.

An agreement signed by BON and PRC officials in Congress said: If found that the examinee complied with the requirements he or she can take the oath and register immediately.

Gonzalez said he does not think the PRC, after the interviews, can decide not to grant the passes their licenses.

Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (Ne. Occ., 3rd district) also said he was party to the negotiations in Congress and he is very hopeful that the outcome of the BON interviews will be in favor the graduates taking their oaths and getting their licenses.*CPG

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