House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan is upbeat over the committee approval of a bill creating a new college of medicine at Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City.

“The proposed medical school is not just an educational project—it is a healthcare intervention. We simply do not have enough doctors in the country, and the shortages are most alarming in rural areas such as Eastern Samar,” Libanan said in a statement Monday, Dec. 8.

Libanan was referring to the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education’s approval of his House Bill (HB) No. 112, which would establish the ESSU College of Medicine.

According to the House leader, the institution will expand access to medical education for underprivileged but deserving students and help ease the persistent shortage of doctors.

“There is a saying that the true measure of good governance is how well a nation safeguards the health of its people. Our bill seeks to ensure that Eastern Samar is no longer left behind on that front,” Libanan said.

Although a lawyer by profession, Libanan also holds a degree in medical technology. A native of Eastern Samar, he previously served as the province’s lone district representative for nine years before being elected as 4Ps party-list congressman.

“Our bill is a strategic, urgent, and necessary step toward building a stronger, fairer healthcare system for our province and our country,” he said.

He cited national data showing that the Philippines has only 7.9 physicians per 10,000 population, far below the commonly referenced benchmark of 10 per 10,000.

Many regions in the country fall even lower, and provinces like Eastern Samar remain severely underserved, he pointed out.

Under the bill, the new ESSU College of Medicine will offer a Doctor of Medicine program anchored on learner-centered, competency-based training, with scholarships and affirmative-action programs for students from low-income families.

“Once the state-subsidized medical school is established, we expect it to make medical education far more accessible, particularly to students whose families cannot afford private schooling,” Libanan said.

“Over time, we are counting on its graduates to serve our communities and strengthen the province’s healthcare system,” he added.