Marcos signs laws upgrading SUCs, creating med schools

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed laws upgrading the status of two state universities and creating a College of Medicine in at least four state universities, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Thursday.

This happened after Marcos signed Republic Act 11968, converting the San Isidro Satellite campus of the Leyte Normal University (LNU) in San Isidro, Leyte to a regular campus, which will now be referred to as LNU-San Isidro Campus.

Likewise, Marcos signed RA No. 11969 which converted the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU)-Bagac Extension Campus in Bagac, Bataan to a regular campus that will be now known as BPSU-Bagac Campus.

The College of Medicine, on the other hand, was established in the following state universities:

• Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet (RA 11970)
• Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon (RA 11971)
• University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar (RA No. 11972)
• Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte (RA No. 11974)

With the creation of the College of Medicine in such campuses, these-state-run institutions can now offer a Doctor of Medicine Program, including an Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine Program, to develop a corps of professional physicians and help strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

“The laws also aim to respond to the human resource development needs of their respective provinces,” the PCO said.

In addition, Marcos also signed into law Republic Act 11973 which provides for the creation of the Bicol University-College of Veterinary Medicine in Ligao City, Albay.

“This is [for the school] to produce a corps of professional veterinary physicians who are adept in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of animal diseases, including terrestrial and aquatic animals,” the PCO added.

PCO said  signed the new laws last December 20, which  means the new measures will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA Integrated News