TACLOBAN CITY – The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill establishing a state-owned college of medicine under the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City.
House Bill No. 11342, authored by Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, aims to make medical education more accessible, especially to students from low-income families.
“Once the new state-subsidized college of medicine is established, we expect it to provide opportunities for aspiring doctors, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Libanan said in a statement.
He also emphasized that the medical school would help address the shortage of doctors, particularly in rural and underserved areas like Eastern Samar.
Although a lawyer by profession, Libanan holds a degree in medical technology.
A native of Eastern Samar, he previously represented the province’s lone congressional district for nine years before joining the 4Ps party-list.
Libanan had previously urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent at least nine House bills seeking to establish additional medical schools in state universities.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
