Senate OKs 17 proposed measures

MANILA, Philippines — A few days before Congress goes on break, the Senate approved on third and final reading 17 proposed measures, including bills that would establish colleges of medicine for the implementation of the Doctor Para sa Bayan Act, which seeks to provide scholarships for individuals who want to study medicine and address the issue on inadequacy in the number of doctors in the country.

Senators unanimously approved the establishment of the Colleges of Medicine in Benguet State University; Southern Luzon State University at its main campus in Lucban, Quezon; University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar; Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union campus in Agoo and Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte.

As envisioned, the “Doktor Para sa Bayan Act” will help deserving students pursue medical education and training in the hope that they would eventually render services in government hospitals in their hometown, home province or in any underserved municipality.

The Senate also approved on third and final reading several local bills that seek the conversion and establishment of schools across the country as it recognized the importance of education in developing life skills.

Sen. Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on higher, technical and vocational education and sponsor of the measures, said the upgrade of the status of schools into regular campuses would give the education institutions certain autonomous decision-making prerogatives.

“The conversion and establishment of these campuses are driven not only by egalitarian motives of democratizing access to its portals but in making sure that it is attended with excellence,” he explained.

Approved on third