Lawmaker bats for expansion of nursing courses
Rep. Eric Yap is pushing the expansion of nursing courses and other allied health courses in remote places, including the Buguias and Bokod campuses of the State-run Benguet State University (BSU).
Speaking during the charter anniversary program of the institution, Yap cited the need to make education accessible to students in remote areas not only of the province but also in other neighboring localities so that they will be able to achieve their dreams and aspirations to become productive citizens.
The lawmaker said that based on studies, the cost of living for students to take up nursing and other allied health service courses in BSU’s main campus in this capital town is too costly because of the need to spend for their board and lodging.
Yap at the same time rallied the BSU administration and the members of the Board of Regents to make the offering of the nursing and allied courses in the Buguias and Bokod campuses of the institution precisely to help aspiring students realize their dreams.
Yap stressed that education remains a powerful tool for the youth to be able to excel in their chosen field of profession and become productive citizens in the future. He underscored the importance of equipping the youth with the appropriate skills and knowledge to combat the difficulties of life.
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act 11970 that mandates the opening of the College of Medicine at BUS which was an offshoot of a bill filed by Yap in the House of Representatives.
The BSU will be accepting some 60 qualified students in time for the offering of the medical course by
August this year before increasing the same in the coming school year, depending on the pace of the implementation of the required infrastructure to support the same in the future.
Nursing and other allied health service courses are among the degree courses preferred by students because of the opportunity they offer to work overseas and a chance to earn income or even migrate to other countries.