Medical education is now more accessible to students in Visayas and Mindanao as the Commission on Higher Education approved the application for government authority to operate the Doctor of Medicine program of two new compliant state universities and colleges – Bohol Island State University in Tagbilaran, Bohol and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines , Cagayan de Oro City.
RA 11509 or more popularly known as the Doktor para sa Bayan Law aims to increase the number of doctors who will serve in far flung areas by establishing a medical scholarship and return service program for deserving students in SUCs or in partner private HEIs in regions where no SUCs offer a medical course.
As reported by the Technical Panel for Medicine Chairperson Joselito Villaruz, “Based on the Technical Evaluators and Technical Panel for Medicine’s assessment and verification of the applicant SUCs, BISU and USTP have already complied with all the minimum requirements to operate the Doctor of Medicine program.”
“The approval of CHED on the medical program of BISU is a very welcome development. I am very grateful to CHED, especially Chairman De Vera, Commissioner Mark Libre for the guidance and support throughout BISU’s application. I congratulate BISU officials led by President Anthony Penaso and the technical team who worked to achieve this milestone,” said 1st District of Bohol Representative Edgar Chatto.