Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill Nol 12

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN

AN
ACT ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE OF MEDICINE IN THE EASTERN SAMAR
STATE UNIVERSITY (ESSU) IN THE CITY BORONGAN, PROVINCE OF
EASTERN SAMAR, TO BE KNOWN AS THE “EASTERN SAMAR STATE
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE”, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Eastern Samar faces challenges in healthcare access with a shortage of qualified medical
professionals contributing to the existing disparities. Situated approximately 220 kilometers
away from Tacloban City, the regional center, the people of Eastern Samar face considerable
difficulties in accessing medical facilities, particularly during emergencies. The distance
creates logistical challenges, resulting in delayed medical interventions and exacerbating
health disparities.

The proposed College of Medicine seeks to address this gap by training a new generation of
competent and compassionate healthcare practitioners, fostering local talent to serve the
specific needs of our community.

Establishing a College of Medicine within the university aligns with the broader goal of
enhancing local healthcare infrastructure. It ensures that our region has a sustainable supply
of well-trained healthcare professionals who are attuned to the specific health.

‘The shortage of doctors in the Philippines, particularly in the province of Eastem Samar, is a
pressing concern that underscores the necessity of establishing a College of Medicine at
Eastern Samar State University.

As of the latest available data, the doctor-to-population ratio in the Philippines is below the
recommended World Health Organization (WHO) standard of one doctor per 1,000 people.
This deficit is even more pronounced in underserved regions like Eastern Samar. where
access to healthcare is further compromised by geographical challenges and limited resources.


Presently, Eastern Samar currently faces a significant shortfall in the number of practicing
physicians. The limited presence of medical professionals in the province exacerbates
healthcare disparities, resulting in compromised health outcomes and delayed medical
interventions for the local population.

The establishment of a College of Medicine in Eastern Samar State University is a strategic
response to address this critical shortage. By training and retaining medical professionals
within the region, the proposed initiative aims to alleviate the existing healthcare challenges
and contribute to an improved doctor-to-population ratio, ultimately enhancing the overall
well-being of the community.

The proposed College of Medicine at Easter Samar State University is not merely a response
to the shortage of doctors but also a strategic intervention to address the specific needs of a
marginalized and geographically isolated population. By establishing a local medical
institution, we aim to empower the community with a sustainable supply of healthcare
professionals who understand the unique challenges faced by Eastern Samar.

The undersigned filed House Bill No. 11342 in the 19" Congress of the Philippines and
transmitted to the Senate on February 04, 2025.

It is imperative to recognize the urgency of addressing this issue through legislative support
for the proposed bill, as it directly impacts the health and lives of the people in Eastern Samar.

MAR¢ ~ LIBANAN

Representative Vv
4Ps Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 112

Introduced by Representative MARCELINO C. LIBANAN

AN
ACT ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE OF MEDICINE IN THE EASTERN SAMAR
STATE UNIVERSITY (ESSU) IN THE CITY BORONGAN, PROVINCE OF
EASTERN SAMAR, TO BE KNOWN AS THE “EASTERN SAMAR STATE
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE”, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Establishment. There is hereby established a medical school in the Eastern
‘Samar State University (ESSU) located in the City of Borongan, Province of Eastern Samar,
to be known as the “Eastern Samar State University College of Medicine”.

SECTION 2. General Mandate, The ESSU-College of Medicine, hereinafter referred to as
the “College”, shall primarily offer a Doctor of Medicine Program consisting of basic science
and clinical courses, and using leamer-centered and competency-based approach. The
primary goal of the College shall be to develop a corps of professional physicians to
strengthen the healthcare system of the country, as well as to respond the human resource
development needs of the Province of Eastern Samar.

The College is also mandated to undertake the extension services and provide progressive
leadership in these cases.

SECTION 3. Governance. Being an institution within the ESSU System, the governance of
the College shall be vested in the Board of Regents of the ESSU, hereinafter referred to as the
Board, whose powers are defined under Republic Act 9312 (AN ACT CONVERTING THE
EASTERN SAMAR STATE COLLEGES (ESSC) INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE
KNOWN AS THE EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY, INTEGRATING
THEREWITH THE MAYDOLONG NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF MAYDOLONG, PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR) and other applicable laws and regulations, unless
otherwise provided or amended elsewhere in this Act.


SECTION 4. Administration. The administration of the College is vested in the Dean of the
ESSU insofar as authorized by the Board of the University.

SECTION 5. The College Dean. The College shall be headed by a Dean who shall be
appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines on qualifications and standards, and based
on the recommendation of the University President, following a process of consultation with
the constituents of the College. The Dean shall render full-time service, serve a term of three
(3) years, and may be reappointed to another term.

Within six (6) months of the effectivity of this Act, the University President of ESSU
shall constitute the Search Committee for the Deanship.

The powers and duties of the Dean of the College, in addition to those specifically
provided for in this Act, shall include those usually pertaining to the Office of the Dean of
similar state colleges and those delegated by the University President.

The salary of the Dean of the College shall be in accordance with Republic Act No.
11466 or the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019”, and such other laws amendatory thereto,
which may hereinafter be enacted, and shall be comparable to that being received by the
Deans of similar institutions.

In case of vacancy in the Office of the Dean by reason of death, compulsory
retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the Dean to perform the functions
of the office, the Board upon the recommendation of the University President. shall designate
an Officer-In-Charge of the College, pending the appointment of a new Dean: Provided, That
the Officer-In-Charge shall serve only during the unexpired portion of the term.

The Dean of the College shall be assisted by a College Secretary, who shall be
appointed by the University President.

SECTION 6. The Faculty. The Board shall appoint, upon the recommendation of and
the nomination by the President of the University, the faculty members of the College:
Provided, That no political belief, gender preference, cultural or community affiliation or
ethnic origin, nor religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the
appointment of faculty members of the College: Provided, further, That said appointment
shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board: Provided,
finally, That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or
religious sect.

SECTION 7. Scholarship Programs and Admission. The College shall provide
scholarships and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who
qualify for admission to the College.

No student shall be denied admission to the College by reason of gender, religion,
cultural or community affiliation, physical disability, or ethnic origin.

SECTION 8. Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy. The College shall
enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy, pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of
Article XIV of the Constitution.


SECTION 9. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus, Equipment or Supplies and
Detail of Personnel. Upon the request of the Board, through the President of the ESSU, the
heads of the bureaus and offices of the national government may loan or transfer to the
College such apparatus, equipment or supplies as may be needed by it, and detail employees
for duty therein when, in the judgment of the head of bureau or office. the apparatus,
equipment, supplies or services of such employees can be spared without serious detriment to
public service.

The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as required of them by the Dean
of the College, and the time so served shall be counted as part of their regular service.

SECTION 10. Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. All existing appropriations, assets,
both real and personal, personnel, and records of the College, as well as its liabilities or
obligations, shall be titled or named after the ESSU.

All parcels of land belonging to the government to be occupied by the College shall
be the property of the ESSU, and shall be titled under its name: Provided, That should the
College ceases to exist or to be abolished or should such aforementioned parcels of land be
no longer needed by the ESSU, the same shall revert to the concemed local government unit
or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.

SECTION 11. Duty and Tax Exemptions. The importation by the College of medical
books or publications, medical equipment or instruments which are for medical, laboratory or
scientific purposes shall, upon certification by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863,
otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)”;

All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to and used
actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes by the College, shall be exempt
from donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income
for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions
of the National Intemal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

SECTION 12. Suppletory Application. The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292,
otherwise known as the “Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997”, shall form part of
this Act.

SECTION 13. Parity Clause, All other powers, functions, and privileges,
responsibilities, and limitations under existing laws shall be deemed granted to or imposed
upon the College and its officials, whenever appropriate.

SECTION 14. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provision of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHED, issue the rules and
regulations to fully implement the provisions of this Act.


SECTION 16. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any part or provision of this
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected are
in full force and effect.

SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. Ail laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are amended,
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 18. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,