TACLOBAN CITY– President Ferdinand Marcos approved for the establishment of a medical program at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman, Northern Samar.
The approval of the college of medicine at UEP was by virtue of Republic Act 11972(An Act Establishing in the University of Eastern Philippines to be Known as University of Eastern Philippines-College of Medicine) authored by Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza (1st district) which was approved by Congress on Feb.22 of this year and was signed into law by the President on Dec.28, also this year.
At present, only the Dona Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation based in Tacloban City is offering a medical program in the entire Eastern Visayas.
The introduction of the medical program at the UEP was welcomed by Governor Edwin Ongchuan who said that this could encourage more Nortehanons to take the medical course without going outside the province and in the process, boost the medical personnel needed by Northern Samar.
“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,” Gov.Ongchuan said in a press statement issued on Dec. 28.
Jan Allen Berbon, provincial information officer, said on Thursday that the operation of the medical program at UEP could hopefully start by next year.
He said that there are still documents and staffing and facility requirements that need to be completed before the program could commence.
Boosting the medical needs and services in the province is one of the main programs of Ongchuan who has launched in 2020 a medical scholarship program that has so far produced four doctors.
The doctors are now currently working at the different medical facilities in the province.
Aside from offering a medical scholarship program, Gov. Ongchuan has also offered a nursing scholarship program to further boost the need for the medical services of his people.
Aside from UEP, the President also approved that medical programs be offered at the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte; Benguet State University; and Southern Luzon State University.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
