President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law seven legislative measures to enhance and expand the capacities of at least seven higher education institutions (HEIs).

In a statement on Thursday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the new laws were signed on Dec. 20, 2023 and will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, or a newspaper of general circulation.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11968, Marcos granted the conversion of the San Isidro Satellite campus of the Leyte Normal University (LNU) in San Isidro, Leyte to a regular campus, to be referred to as the “LNU-San Isidro Campus.”

The President also signed into law RA No. 11969, converting the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU)-Bagac Extension Campus in Bagac, Bataan to a regular campus that will be known as “BPSU-Bagac Campus.”

He also signed laws that established Colleges of Medicine such as the Benguet State University-College of Medicine (RA 11970) in La Trinidad, Benguet, and Southern Luzon State University-College of Medicine (RA 11971) in Lucban, Quezon.

Under the newly created laws, the HEIs can now proceed with offering a Doctor of Medicine Program, including an Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine Program to develop a corps of professional physicians and help strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

The President also signed into law RA No. 11973, which established Bicol University-College of Veterinary Medicine in Ligao City, Albay to produce a corps of professional veterinary physicians adept in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of animal diseases, including terrestrial and aquatic animals.

The complete copies of the newly signed laws are accessible in the Official Gazette. (PNA)

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