THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill establishing a new state-owned college of medicine in Eastern Samar.

House Bill No. 11342, authored by 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Nonoy Libanan, mandates the creation of a medical school under the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City.

“Once established, the new state-subsidized college of medicine will make medical education more accessible, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” Libanan said. “Over time, we hope the medical school will help address the shortage of doctors, especially in rural and underserved areas like Eastern Samar.”

Libanan previously represented the province’s lone district in Congress for nine years. He now serves as a 4Ps party-list representative.

Currently, only seven state-owned higher education institutions offer the Doctor of Medicine program: Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte; University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City; Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao City; Bicol University in Daraga, Albay; West Visayas State University in Iloilo City; University of the Philippines in Manila; and Mindanao State University in Marawi City.

Between 2023 and 2024, Congress also passed laws creating new medical colleges at Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet; Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon; University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar; Visayas State University in Baybay City; and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in Agoo, La Union.

Libanan earlier urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent at least nine House bills seeking to establish additional medical schools in state universities.