Cong. Cari meets with infra dev’t group to construct the Medical Arts building

With the passing of Republic Act 11974 which officially created the Visayas State University College of Medicine, Leyte Fifth District Congressman Carl Nicolas C. Cari now begins the important groundwork for the actual implementation of this milestone project.

The young Congressman called for a special meeting with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 5th District Engineering Office together with the core group of the VSU infrastructure planning and development unit on February 23, 2024, at his congressional headquarters based in Brgy. Candadam, Baybay City.

In this meeting, Congressman Cari told the VSU infrastructure and development planning core group to build the College of Medicine building complex that will also accommodate the College of Nursing so that the two medical programs will be strategically positioned near each other for future collaboration.

The construction of this proposed Integrated Medical Arts Building Complex has already been included in the Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) of the university, which is now in its final stages for completion and approval by the University Administrative Council (UAC).

Engr. Mario Lilio P. Valenzona, the Director of the VSU Physical Plant Office (PPO), revealed that the project site will be located on the left side of the VSU Lower Mall where the current demonstration farms for some horticultural and agronomic crops are being cultivated.

The PPO Director argued that this is the most ideal location for a combined building facility for both the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing as this is readily accessible to VSU’s main entrance and can also be complemented with the future construction of a new University Hospital.

“Congressman Cari instructed us that the plan for a new College of Medicine building shall integrate the College of Nursing so that an integrated facility becomes available for these two medical courses. I believe that this is such a strategic move because a brand new facility would also become available for our nursing program which is now considered as the region’s best nursing school in Eastern Visayas,” Engr. Valenzona explained.

The nursing program at VSU began in 2007 because of a proposal developed by then Director for Instruction Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin as a response to the growing manpower needs both regional and national for this specific profession.

While many were doubtful back then about the effective implementation of this program in an agricultural university, the VSU College of Nursing rose from a small unit to becoming the most subscribed program of the university with more than 4,000 interested freshmen applicants each year.

Former VSU President Edgardo E. Tulin and now Vice President for Administration and Finance said that his aspiration for the first medicine school located in a state university in Region VIII should replicate the institutional success of the VSU nursing program.

“We already have a proven development blueprint for our College of Medicine program and I’m hopeful that it will follow the success of the College of Nursing that has produced 2 topnotchers in a row and an uninterrupted 100% passing percentage for 9 years now for its first time takers. This gives us so much hope that we can implement this new program properly so that we can locally produce physicians who can serve our growing healthcare demand here in our region and beyond,” Dr. Tulin expressed. 

The former VSU President also gave his thanks to Congressman Cari for prioritizing the passage of this milestone legislation not just for Baybay City but also for the whole Eastern Visayas region.

“If not for Congressman Cari’s push and overwhelming support to VSU, we would not have accomplished something big in this area. It’s always nice to have a Proud Viscan looking out for the future healthcare needs of our local and regional constituents which is also consistent with the directions set by Mayor Cari to make Baybay City a regional hub for quality healthcare services,” Dr. Tulin added.

Since the pandemic, the local government has been very active in healthcare services with the construction of the new Immaculate Concepcion Hospital (ICH) and the Baybay City Super Health Care Center that is not only serving the names of the local residents but also the constituents of surrounding municipalities in Western Leyte.

The establishment of the VSU College of Medicine is clearly aligned with this direction as it can soon supply the needed medical manpower in Baybay City and Eastern Visayas.

Congressman Cari is expected to meet again with DPWH and the VSU infrastructure planning and development core group where the actual building plan will soon be tackled to identify the exact appropriation amount that will be funded by the national government.

DPWH Leyte Fifth Engineering District was represented by their Planning Chief Engr. Junsith C. Sabelino.

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