La Union state U now offers med program

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure establishing a college of medicine in the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus (DMMMSU-SLUC) in the Municipality of Agoo, province of La Union, Malacañang announced Saturday.

Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the President signed Republic Act (RA) 11978, known as the “Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus-College of Medicine,” on Thursday, February 15.

Garafil said the new law will primarily offer a Doctor of Medicine Program, including an Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine Program.

“The program will consist of basic science and clinical courses, and using a learner-centered, competency-based and community-oriented approach, with the goal ‘to develop a corps of professional physicians to strengthen the health care system of the country,’” Garafil said.

The Palace official said that the Doctor of Medicine Program aims to respond to the human resource development needs of La Union province and the Ilocos Region.

The course is mandated to undertake research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in these areas, she added.

RA 11978, which was released to the media on Saturday, will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation.

DMMMSU was created on Jan. 15, 1981 by virtue of Presidential Decree 1778, which was signed by former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

It is the lone state university in La Union that offers quality and accessible world-class education to the residents of La Union and nearby provinces.