CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)—The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines’ College of Medicine Bill or House Bill No. 9522 had been approved by the House of Representatives in its August 3 session.

Authored by Deputy Speaker and 2nd District Representative of Cagayan de Oro City Rufus Rodriguez, the bill seeks to establish a College of Medicine at the university that will offer socialized tuition fees and opportunities for poor but deserving students to be admitted free of tuition and fees.

“The approval of the bill is very timely. Now, more than ever, we need more schools that will offer medical courses, College of Medicine in particular. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us so many lessons. One of that is the need to produce more doctors who are ready to serve our countrymen,” Rodriguez said.

As the bill was passed by the House of Representatives, it will be forwarded to the Senate for further deliberation before being signed into law.

Rodriguez is hopeful that the bill will be enacted in the Senate and signed into law, and that the Commission on Higher Education would approve USTP’s application to accommodate students. (Office of Cong. Rufus Rodriguez/JAKA, PIA-10)