Benguet State University (BSU) is set to enhance healthcare in the Cordillera region by launching its College of Medicine, which will begin accepting students in the first semester of the 2025-26 academic year. BSU President Dr. Kenneth Laruan announced that the program will start with an initial intake of 50 students, with 13 slots reserved for scholars sponsored by the provincial government of Benguet. These scholars are expected to serve remote communities after completing their studies.
During a press conference streamed on social media, Dr. Laruan emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting these scholars, who have already passed the provincial screening and will receive funding to complete their medical education. The tuition fee at BSU is set at PHP70,000 per semester, which is significantly lower—50 percent less—than similar programs offered by other institutions in the region. Additionally, scholarships are available to further assist students.
The first cohort of medical students will initially use the Nursing Building, but a substantial budget of PHP120 million has been allocated in this year’s national budget to support the program’s development. Dr. Florence Poltic, BSU’s medical officer and a member of the Technical Working Group for the College of Medicine, expressed optimism that other provinces might also offer scholarships for students at BSU.
Dr. Poltic also highlighted that Kalinga State University is in the process of setting up its own medical course, which she sees as a positive development, especially in light of the Universal Health Care Law aimed at making medical services more accessible to all.