SENATOR Joel Villanueva has welcomed the establishment of additional medical schools in state universities across the country, saying the move brings the Philippines closer to ensuring that every community has access to doctors and quality healthcare services.

Villanueva, principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11509, or the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, said the expansion of medical education opportunities will help address healthcare inequality and the shortage of physicians in underserved areas.

“This is a win for our youth aspiring to become doctors, for local communities, and for every Filipino who deserves quality healthcare,” Villanueva said.

The senator issued the statement after the Commission on Higher Education approved Doctor of Medicine programs in five state universities beginning Academic Year 2026-2027.

According to Villanueva, the approvals increase the number of medical schools in state universities and colleges (SUCs) from 25 to 30, achieving the goal of establishing at least one medical program in every region of the country.

“With these five new approvals, the number of SUC medical schools has grown from 25 to 30, completing our goal of establishing a medical program in every region of the country,” said Villanueva, who chairs the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.

The five state universities granted approval to offer Doctor of Medicine programs are Visayas State University, Eastern Samar State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Benguet State University, and Cotabato State University–Cotabato Regional Medical Center School of Medicine.

Villanueva said the additional medical schools will strengthen the implementation of the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act by producing more physicians in the regions and helping address the uneven distribution of healthcare professionals nationwide.

Enacted in 2021, the law provides scholarships and support mechanisms for aspiring doctors, particularly those willing to serve in underserved and geographically isolated communities.

To further strengthen the program, Villanueva secured a budget allocation of P1.095 billion under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the highest funding level the initiative has received since the law took effect.

“This is not merely an investment in education—it is an investment in lives,” Villanueva said.

“Every doctor we train means countless patients who will receive timely and quality medical care,” he added.

The senator expressed optimism that expanding medical education in the regions will help build a stronger healthcare workforce and improve access to medical services, particularly in communities that have long struggled with a shortage of doctors.