HOUSE of Representatives Minority Leader Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan has urged Malacañang to certify as urgent a package of bills that would increase the number of doctors in the country, which are urgently needed to strengthen the public healthcare system.

Libanan appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify at least nine House bills that aim to establish additional schools of medicine in state universities and colleges.

“We must democratize and expand student access to state-subsidized medical schooling so that the country can produce more Doctor of Medicine graduates,” Libanan said.

“Right now, we are not producing enough new doctors due to the prohibitive cost of medical schooling in private institutions. This is why we need more colleges of medicine in SUCs, especially in the provinces,” Libanan added.

“If we want to assure Filipinos access to quality healthcare, we need a constant supply of new doctors to replace those retiring or migrating overseas,” Libanan emphasized.

Although a lawyer by profession, Libanan also holds a degree in medical technology.

Libanan is the author of one of the nine bills that seek to establish new schools of medicine, including House Bill No. 9872, which proposes a college of medicine at Eastern Samar State University in Borongan City.

Libanan, a native of Eastern Samar, previously represented the province’s lone district in Congress for nine years. He is now a representative for the 4Ps party-list.

In addition to Libanan’s bill, there are eight other bills that seek to establish medical schools in various universities across the country, including in Quezon City, Cagayan de Oro, Catbalogan, Ibajay, General Santos, Tandag, Malaybalay, and Tacurong.

The country’s doctor-to-population ratio is only around 3.6 doctors for every 10,000 people, according to the Department of Health. The World Health Organization recommends a ratio of 10 doctors for every 10,000 people.