Manila, Philippines – In a recent press briefing held at Malacañang, Prospero de Vera III, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), announced the opening of six medical programs under the Marcos administration. This initiative is part of CHED’s efforts to expand the availability of medical education in public universities across the country. The accomplishment report, highlighting the administration’s first year in office, was submitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
De Vera emphasized the importance of increasing the number of public universities offering medical programs, stating, “For example, we are pushing for more public universities to have medical programs. There are now 18 medical schools in state universities and colleges where students can get scholarships for their medical education, and they will serve in underserved areas after they graduate.”
He further elaborated on the progress made, stating, “Out of the 18, the original number was eight. Under the Duterte administration, four new programs were introduced over five years. However, under the Marcos administration, six medical programs were opened in just one year, signifying a significant difference in our efforts.”
These newly established medical schools aim to produce highly skilled doctors equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Graduates will be encouraged to serve in underserved areas, addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in remote regions of the country.
De Vera outlined the six areas highlighted in the report presented to the President. These areas include Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, CHED’s compliance with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and the achievements made in addressing nursing education concerns.
Expanding medical education opportunities for students, focusing on niche programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as promoting the internationalization of Philippine higher education, were also key points discussed in the report.
Regarding the challenges faced in nursing education, De Vera assured that the Commission is developing long-term, medium-term, and immediate action plans to address the shortage of Filipino nurses effectively.
“These were the six areas that we discussed with the President, and we identified verifiable success indicators and data to demonstrate the significant achievements and changes in the higher education sector during the first year of the Marcos administration,” De Vera concluded.
The opening of these medical programs underscores the administration’s commitment to improving access to quality education and addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities. With the continued expansion of medical education in public universities, the Philippines is poised to produce a new generation of highly skilled doctors dedicated to serving their fellow citizens.
