Daily TribuneThese steps will bring long-term benefits to our country. We hope that in the future, we will not only be known as a nation that sends excellent healthcare workers abroad but also as a hub of medical excellence right here in our own homeland
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SENATOR ‘Bong’ Go. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SBG
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for signing into law several bills establishing College of Medicine programs at four state universities.
Go, co-sponsor of these bills, emphasized the broader impact of these legislative measures on the country's future particularly in healthcare. These bills were primarily sponsored by Senator Chiz Escudero, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher Education.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also highlighted the long-term benefits of these laws, where more Filipinos will be given opportunities to pursue medical professions and increasing the potential of making the Philippines a hub for medical excellence.
"These steps will bring long-term benefits to our country. We hope that in the future, we will not only be known as a nation that sends excellent healthcare workers abroad but also as a hub of medical excellence right here in our own homeland," he added.
The new laws provide for the establishment of a College of Medicine in four distinct state universities. The first, Republic Act 11970, facilitates the creation of a College of Medicine at Benguet State University. RA 11971, similarly establishes a medical college at Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon.
RA 11972 provides for the establishment of a College of Medicine at the University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar. Lastly, RA 11974 authorizes the formation of a medical college at Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte.
Go emphasized the role of these new institutions in catalyzing research and innovation in the field of medicine.
Citing the data from the Department of Health, Escudero lamented the shortage of doctors in the country even before the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic has reached at least 114,000.
Escudero expressed optimism that the medical field in the country will now improve with the recent legislation of the seven bills.
"We are now closer to our goal of offering medical courses in various parts of the country to meet the health needs of the Filipino people," Escudero said, urging the government to prepare for an expected increase in healthcare professionals.
