EASTERN Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales has congratulated the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery graduates of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City for achieving a 100 percent passing rate in the April 2026 Midwives Licensure Examination (MLE) administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Gonzales also commended ESSU graduate Graceil Rado Dacuno for placing 10th in the national examination with a rating of 92.2 percent.

“This achievement is a clear reflection of the dedication, discipline, and perseverance demonstrated by ESSU’s midwifery graduates, as well as their steadfast commitment to their chosen profession,” Gonzales said.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to all our newly registered midwives and encourage them to uphold this standard of excellence as they begin their professional journeys—serving with compassion, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose,” he added.

According to the PRC, 901 out of 2,124 examinees nationwide passed the April 2026 MLE, resulting in a national passing rate of 42.4 percent.

Among schools with 30 or more examinees, ESSU—the lone state university in Eastern Samar—emerged as the top-performing institution, with all 43 of its examinees successfully passing the exam.

The University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte ranked second, with 64 of 67 examinees passing, while Tagoloan Community College in Misamis Oriental placed third, with 46 out of 49 examinees making the cut.

Gonzales underscored the vital role of midwives in improving maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. He noted that midwives are key to reducing maternal and infant mortality and are essential partners in strengthening primary healthcare delivery.

He also cited global health targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to reduce maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality to no more than 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030.

In the Philippines, midwives provide critical frontline services, including prenatal care, safe delivery assistance, postnatal care, newborn screening, family planning education, and basic emergency interventions.