TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 156
25
JuL -7
Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
AN ACT
REQUIRING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
(SUCS) TO OFFER MEDICAL AND ALLIED HEALTH
COURSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article III, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution states “The State 
shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill 
health consciousness among them.” However, many provinces in our 
country—particularly underprivileged Filipino people—continue to 
face a severe shortage of doctors, nurses, physieal therapists and other 
health professionals.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the lack of 
healthcare workers in the Philippines is a “major roadblock” in making 
Filipinos among the healthiest people in Asia by 2040.1 In addition, the 
Philippines’ physician-to-population ratio stands at 7.92 per 10,000 
people, falling short of the international minimum standard of 10 per
1 https://www.gmanetwork.eom/news/topstories/nation/910004/doh-lack-of-healthcare-
workers-an-obstacle-to-ph-goal-of-being-among-asia-s-healthiest-bv-2040/storY/i) accessed
last 16 June 2025.


10,000. Additionally, the country faces a shortage of at least 127,000 
nurses, with most shortages concentrated in the private sector.2
This bill seeks to address this gap by requiring the inclusion of 
medical and allied health courses in State Universities and Colleges 
(SUCs). By expanding the program offerings in public higher 
education institutions, especially those located in remote areas, our 
government ensures that more students are given the opportunity to 
pursue health-related careers.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.
WIN tULFO
2 
https://www.ateneo.edu/news/2025/05/22/ateneo-study-highlights-workforce-hurdles-
universai-health-care-philippines


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
z5
JuL-7 A 9 -03
Senate Bill No. 156
Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
AN ACT
REQUIRING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES 
(SUCS) TO OFFER MEDICAL AND ALLIED HEALTH
COURSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as
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the ‘-"Health Courses Expansion Act of2025.""
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
eonsciousness among them. Towards this end, the State shall ensure 
access to quality medical and allied health education, especially in 
underserved areas, by expanding the capacity of State Universities and
Colleges (SUCs).
SEC. 3. Offering of Medical and Allied Health Courses. - SUCs 
are required to offer degree programs in the following fields: 
a. 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing;


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b.
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Bachelor of Science in Medieal 
Teehnology;
Baehelor of Science in Dentistry; 
Bachelor of Scienee in Pharmacy; and 
Other relevant allied health courses
SEC. 4. Programs. - The CHED, SUC, and other coneerned 
ageneies shall provide support in the form of faculty development, 
infrastrueture assistance, and academic partnerships. CHED shall also 
establish recognition programs for SUCs that contribute significantly 
to the development of the health workforee, especially in underserved
regions.
SEC. 5. Implementing Agencies. - SUCs shall eoordinate with 
CHED and the Department of Health (DOH) for the phased 
implementation of this Act. Priority shall be given to SUCs located in 
regions with limited access to medical education. CHED shall provide 
guidelines for compliance, ineluding faculty qualifications, laboratory 
and hospital affiliations, and accreditation requirements.
SEC. 6. Funding. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Aet shall be eharged against the current 
appropriations of CHED and SUCs. Thereafter, sueh sums as may be 
neeessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Aet
(GAA).
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of 
this Act be declared uneonstitutional or invalid, the other provisions 
and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, 
shall remain in full force and effeet.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, deerees, orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are


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inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,