MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ushered in a new era for higher education institutions (HEIs) by signing seven legislative measures aimed at enhancing and expanding their capacities.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Thursday that the laws, signed on December 20, 2023, will come into effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Among the notable changes, Republic Act (RA) No. 11968 grants the conversion of the San Isidro Satellite campus of the Leyte Normal University (LNU) in San Isidro, Leyte, transforming it into the “LNU-San Isidro Campus.” Additionally, RA No. 11969 converts the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU)-Bagac Extension Campus in Bagac, Bataan, into a regular campus known as the “BPSU-Bagac Campus.”
Two laws, RA 11970 and RA 11971, have been enacted to establish Colleges of Medicine at Benguet State University (La Trinidad, Benguet) and Southern Luzon State University (Lucban, Quezon), respectively. These legislative measures empower the HEIs to offer a Doctor of Medicine Program, including an Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine Program, contributing to the development of a professional physician corps and bolstering the country’s healthcare system.
Furthermore, RA No. 11973 has been signed into law, establishing the Bicol University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ligao City, Albay. This initiative aims to produce a cadre of professional veterinary physicians skilled in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of animal diseases, encompassing both terrestrial and aquatic animals.
For those interested in delving deeper into the details of these transformative laws, complete copies are accessible in the Official Gazette. The move signifies a significant step towards advancing the capabilities of state colleges and fostering the growth of specialized education and healthcare sectors in the country.
(IAmigo/MNM)
