Gonzales: CHED approval pf ESSU College of Medicine a win for Eastern Samar furure

by Miriam G.Desacada

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar — Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales welcomed the Commission on Higher Education’s approval of the Doctor of Medicine program at Eastern Samar State University, calling it a critical step to address the severe shortage of doctors in underserved areas.

“This approval allows ESSU to open its College of Medicine in Borongan City and start offering the first and second years of the Doctor of Medicine program in academic year 2026–2027,” Gonzales said. 

He said the new medical school will expand access to medical education in the region. “It will provide state-subsidized medical education for aspiring doctors from Eastern Samar and nearby provinces,” he added.

On June 17, CHED approved Doctor of Medicine programs for ESSU and four other state universities: Visayas State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Benguet State University, and Cotabato State University.

Gonzales is the principal author, along with 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, of a bill seeking to formally establish the ESSU College of Medicine. The measure has been approved by the House of Representatives and is now pending in the Senate.

“Once enacted, our bill will speed up the development of the ESSU College of Medicine,” Gonzales said. “It will provide the necessary support, including new budget allocations, for faculty training, learning resources, and modern laboratory facilities.”

Looking ahead, Gonzales expressed optimism that all five newly approved medical schools will help strengthen the country’s health care system. 

“We expect these new colleges of medicine to produce highly competent doctors who will serve the communities that need them most,” he said.

According to CHED, the Philippines currently has a doctor-to-population ratio of 7.92 per 10,000 — below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 10 per 10,000.