SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara confirmed that they pushed for an additional P125 million allocation for the development of medical schools in State Universities and Colleges.

In his sponsorship speech for the proposed 2024 national budget, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said the government will continue to increase the pool of human resources for health who will work in hospitals and health centers outside urban centers.

“Hence, with the support of Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva and Senior Vice Chairperson Pia Cayetano, the Seed Fund for the Development of Medical Schools in SUCs within Commission on Higher Education was augmented,” Angara said.

Funds worth P287 million were downloaded directly to 15 state universities and colleges to increase the carrying capacity of their respective Colleges of Medicine.

Angara said that they also allocated additional funds for the educational assistance to deserving leaners.

“Tuloy-tuloy rin ang tulong para sa mga nagkakasakit sa pamamagitan ng National Health Insurance Program ng PhilHealth o Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients o MAIP sa ilalim ng DOH at ng mga ospital; sa mga nais makapag-aral pero kulang ang pondo para makapag-enrol tulad ng mga voucher program at education service contracting ng DepEd at ng Student Financial Assistance o StuFaps ng CHED,” he said.