The House of Representatives has recently approved on third and final reading a bill establishing a new state-owned college of medicine in Eastern Samar.
House Bill No. 11342 mandates the creation of a medical school under the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City.
The bill’s author, Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, said, “Once the new state-subsidized college of medicine is established, we expect it to make medical education more accessible, particularly to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.”
He added, “Over time, we are also counting on the medical school to help address the shortage of doctors, especially in rural and underserved areas like Eastern Samar.”
Although a lawyer by profession, Libanan also holds a degree in medical technology.
Currently, only 7 state-owned higher institutions of learning are offering the Doctor of Medicine program: Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte; University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City; Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao City; Bicol University in Daraga, Albay; West Visayas State University in Iloilo City; University of the Philippines in Manila; and Mindanao State University in Marawi City.
In 2023 and 2024, Congress also passed five laws creating new medical colleges at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet, Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon, University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar, Visayas State University in Baybay City, and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in Agoo, La Union.
Libanan had earlier urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to certify as urgent at least 9 House bills seeking to establish additional medical schools in state universities. (Story courtesy of the Philippine House of Representatives)
Above photo generated by Gemini Advanced