Sen. Joel Villanueva leads the distribution of TUPAD payout with Gov. Aurelio Umali and Vice Gov. Anthony Umali. Photo by Armand Galang
CABANATUAN CITY – Sen. Joel Villanueva met with officials on Friday of a state university here to explore the possibility of putting up the first public school of medicine in Central Luzon.
Villanueva, who led the payout for 300 of 750 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced workers (TUPAD) beneficiaries at the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) here, discussed with university president Fely Jacoba and other officials the envisioned creation of a Ccllege of medicine in the said institution.
“Kung may isang state college o university sa Pililinas o sa Region 3 ay yung NEUST, mukhang hinog na hinog na upang magkaroon ng sariling college of medicine,” Villanueva said, noting that the school is close to a regional hospital, the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center.
In an interview, Villanueva underscored the need to establish one public medical schools per region for the implementation of the newly enacted Duktor Para sa Bayan Law (Republic Act 11509) which he authored.
“Batid po natin ang kakulangan ng schools of medicine para mai-carry out itong programa na ito,” he said.
At least ten regions in the Philippines, including Central Luzon, the senator said, have no public medical school even as the course is one of the most expensive.
The law, he added, aims to establish at least one public school of medicine in every region by 2025. Some 4,500 scholars currently enjoy state scholarship which include provisions of guaranteed jobs in government after passing the medical board examination.
The prevailing costs of medical education has been very prohibitive that even mentally capable students cannot afford, he stressed.
He acknowledged the “challenging” cost of running a medical school but said it is a necessity.
“Nakita po natin kung gaano kailangan ito lalo ngayong pandemya,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva was accompanied here by officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, provincial employment service office, Gov. Aureluo Umali and Vice Gov. Anthony Umali.
