Bongbong Marcos okays law forming a 2nd medical college in Eastern Visayas

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of Samar Pacific Coastal Road in Northern Samar on Friday, July 14, 2023. (File photo from Presidential Communications Office)

TACLOBAN CITY – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has approved the establishment of a medical course in a university in Catarman, Northern Samar.

This move is meant to give students in the province the chance to pursue medicine as a degree for the improvement of health services in the locality.

The creation of a College of Medicine at University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) was done through the signing of Republic Act 11972 by the Chief Executive.

The measure was approved by Congress on February 22 this year.

The President signed the bill on December 28.

At present, only Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation based in Tacloban city is offering a medical program in the entire Eastern Visayas.

The introduction of a medical program at UEP was welcomed by Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan.

He believes more Nortehanons will take a medical course since they will not need to go outside the province to earn a degree.

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“By addressing our health human resource requirements and improving our health facilities with necessary infrastructure and equipment, we hope to enhance the delivery of health services to our fellow Nortehanons,” he said in a press statement on Thursday, December 28.

Northern Samar provincial information officer Jan Allen Berbon said the introduction of a medical program at UEP may start next year.

He added there are just some documents and other requirements that must be completed before the program can begin.