An initiative driven by visionary leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to nation-building led to the fastest curriculum approval process in the institution’s history. A Radiation Therapist from the Philippine General Hospital operates the Linear Accelerator (LINAC). A radiation therapist is a radiologic technologist who has undergone advanced training and works closely with radiation oncologists to deliver accurate, life-saving treatments through modern machinery. At a time when most clinical decisions rely on diagnostic imaging results - from detecting early-stage cancers to mapping neural pathways–the demand for radiologic technologists has steadily increased. Unfortunately, the country is grappling with a stark truth: there is a critical gap of at least 19,000 radiologic technologists despite the steady number of graduates. Out of the approximately 108 schools that offer a B.S. in Radiological Technology (BSRT) course, only three are state or local government higher education institutions. With these issues in mind, the University of the Philippines Manila has announced the opening of its B.S. Radiologic Technology course.  Starting Point In a Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Health Sector Group discussion, representatives from government agencies and the healthcare industry identified a critical shortage in the country’s radiologic technology workforce. Chancellor Michael Tee affirmed UP Manila’s commitment to supporting efforts to bridge this gap. A Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of Vice Chancellors Bernadette Heizel Reyes and Johanna Patricia  Cañal, Dr. Joseph Causapin, former Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Marie Josephine de Luna, Asst. Prof. Rozelle Francesca Bentulan and Dean Rotor worked relentlessly for its realization and inclusion in the course offerings of UP Manila.  “We recognized an urgent need not only to increase the number of practitioners but also to elevate the quality of education to meet complex, modern healthcare demands,” Dean Esmerita Rotor of the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) said.   The initial idea was to open a School of Radiologic Technology at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). A technical working group was established under the leadership of Dr. Vicente Francisco R. Hizon as Chairman and PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi as consultant. After careful deliberation, it was noted that PGH was a non-degree-granting unit of the University. Therefore, it would not be feasible to open a school at the PGH. CAMP held a special council meeting on March 27, 2025, and voted in agreement to develop and offer the BSRT as an academic program.  Dir. Legaspi expressed full support to the BSRT program by providing students with opportunities to undertake internships and other undergraduate training activities within the hospital.  “With facilities now comparable to those of major private hospitals, PGH is well-positioned to offer students comprehensive hands-on experience and exposure to a wide range of modern radiology services and technologies,” he said.  “One significant advantage is the quality of the radiology units where students will train. They will be mentored by consultants who are recognized leaders and experts in their respective fields. Beyond technical training, students will be immersed in a culture of service, education, and research that is deeply embedded within the department,” Dir. Legaspi emphasized.  The establishment of the BSRT program exemplifies a successful collaboration among the academe, government, and industry.  “The government and the private sector saw the gap, and we, as an academic institution, are addressing the need. Our response is especially important because very few State, Colleges, and Universities (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) offer BS RadTech,” Vice Chancellor Reyes said.  She praised Dean Rotor’s eagerness to expand the disciplines included in CAMP as an important factor for the realization of the vision. Vice Chancellor Cañal’s insight as a practicing radiation oncologist also brought value to the discussion of the TWG.    “Dr. Cañal saw the need for RadTechs and the promise of what else RadTechs can do,” Vice Chancellor Reyes explained. “From her clinical practice, the rad tech helps the radiation oncologist in treatment planning and the delivery of radiotherapy, participating directly in both diagnostic and therapeutic healthcare processes,” she added.  (From left) Vice Chancellor and Radiology professor Johanna Patricia Cañal, former Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Physics professor Marie Josephine de Luna, Dean Esmerita Rotor, and Asst. Prof. Missy Bentulan of the College of Allied Medical Professions snap a photo before the critical University Council meeting that approved the BS Radiologic Technology program last April 25, 2026. Former Vice Chancellor de Luna also played a crucial role through her strong background in applied and medical physics. Additionally, the involvement of Dr. Causapin was “fortuitous” because of his credentials as a radiologic technology graduate who later pursued medicine, completed a master’s degree in education, and entered radiation oncology training. His background allowed him to understand the technical responsibilities of radiologic technologists and their evolving importance in the healthcare industry through multiple lenses. Asst. Professor Missy Bentulan’s experience in curriculum development provided technical assistance to ensure alignment of program and learning outcomes with teaching approaches and strategies.   To ensure the program is at par with international standards, the TWG conducted benchmarking visits to Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Chulabhorn Royal Academy in Thailand.  Faculty members or UP Manila view the laboratory setup for radiologic technology students at the Chulabhorn Royal Academy University in Thailand. “UP Flavor” Aside from the minimum standards required by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the curriculum emphasizes community engagement, research, interprofessional education, and service learning, Vice Chancellor Reyes, who leads the curriculum committee, shared.  “Begin with the end in mind. That’s how you build a curriculum,” the university official said.  “We intend for our graduates to be able to contribute to the improvement of local and national health practices by providing them with a solid and broad knowledge base, a strong sense of service and an ability to collaborate with patients and health professionals,” Dean Rotor echoed.  Aside from classroom instruction, the students will have the opportunity to collaborate with various health care professionals, including doctors, nurses and therapists, among others. Aside from this, students will also be given time to engage in research before graduation and immerse themselves in community-health practices.  In their last year in the program, students will rotate in different specialty rotations such as Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Interventional Radiology, and Radiation Oncology. The program includes a community-based rotation and an additional specialized rotation to allow for advanced competencies in a specific area of interest.   The faculty members of the BS Radiologic Technology of Chulabhorn Royal Academy welcomed the Technical Working Group of the BS Radiological Technology courseof UP Manila during the latter’s benchmarking visit to the University. (fourth from Left): Dr. Joseph Causapin, Prof. Josephine De Luna, Dean Mia Rotor, VCAA Johanna Patrica Cañal, and Chancellor Michael L. Tee. Timeline  From its conceptualization in 2025, the proposal moved rapidly through the University Curriculum Committee and was approved on Oct. 16, 2025. After this, it moved through multiple levels of review and approval. From the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), the Presidential Advisory Council, and finally the University Council. By March 2026, the proposal has already advanced toward approval by the Board of Regents (BOR),    True to the values of “Tatak UP,” graduates are also expected to take on leadership roles in healthcare institutions, government agencies, research settings, and academic institutions. Proponents are also eyeing BS RadTech graduates to lead in emerging medical technologies, such as Theranostics, an evolving medical approach that identifies the disease in the body and targets the treatment to destroy specific cells.  “This new course was created to fill a health care gap.   But in time, we fervently hope that BS Rad Tech students will realize that they can have meaningful and fulfilling careers not just as practicing professionals, but also as healthcare researchers and future leaders,” Dr. Cañal said. Text by Jennifer ManongdoPhotos by Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit and Dean Esmerita Rotor #FP1 #FP8 #FP10 #AcademicExcellence #UPManila Read more: https://www.upm.edu.ph/cpt_news/up-manila-opens-bs-radiologic-technology-now-accepting-upcat-2026-qualifiers/