Text by Martin R. Racza
Photos from the Prof Popoy De Vera Facebook Page
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and UP Board of Regents Chairman J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III, Senator Joel Villanueva, and Senator Pia Cayetano awarded Seed Fund Project Grants to the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila and other state universities and colleges (SUCs) on October 1, 2024 at the Senate of the Philippines.
The project, hailed by Chairman De Vera as “libre at dekalidad na medical education sa kabataang Pilipino,” will develop the capacities of beneficiary institutions to deliver world-class medical education programs.
Expressing his gratitude to Sen. Villanueva and Sen. Cayetano, Prof. De Vera said, “Maraming salamat sa ating mga kampeon ng edukasyon sa Senado.”
In his message, Senator Villanueva recalled his painful experience of losing his sister, former Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna, four years ago to sepsis secondary to bacterial pneumonia. The senator stated that this experience, wherein he learned that there was only one doctor who had expertise in the field of vasculitis, challenged him to rally the senators to pass Republic Act 11509, or the “Doktor Para sa Bayan” Act.
Emphasizing the importance of discussion and cooperation between legislators and the academe, Senator Cayetano encouraged the SUCs “to keep on talking with each other, because the planning can only happen if we discuss and talk about these things. This would not have happened if we didn’t work together.”
Chancellor Michael L. Tee and UP Manila School of Health Sciences Dean Charlie E. Labarda received the grant on behalf of UP Manila.
