AT LEAST seven state universities received seed funds from the Commission on Higher Education to support their Doctor of Medicine Program.

The commission gave P40 million each as seed fund for Bulacan State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Samar State University, University of Northern Philippines, University of the Philippines Manila-School of Health Sciences (Palo, Leyte); and West Visayas State University.

Meanwhile, Cebu Normal University received P35 million.

The ceremonial turnover of seed funds was led by CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera and Senator Joel Villanueva.

Villanueva said this is the fourth wave of distribution of seed fund aiming to strengthen Doctor of Medicine Program in SUCs.

The seed fund seeks to implement Doktor Para sa Bayan Act to produce more doctors to serve in the country.

“I am very happy to report na nagsimula tayo g pitong SUCs lang, ngayon 22 na, may 6 na pending, so that’s about 27 or 28. Natutuwa po tayo kasi dati 7 regions lang ang meron na public school na offering school of medicine ngayon lahat na,” Villanueva said.

“Nakakataba po ng puso dahil unti unti nating nakikita nabubuo ang pangarap natin para sa ating bansa. Hindi lang po dumami ang mga doktor para sa bayan, kundi dumami rin po ang state colleges and universities na nag-offer quality school of medicine para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.