A proposed law seeking to establish the first-ever College of Veterinary Medicine in Palawan aims to make veterinary education more affordable and strengthen support for the province’s agriculture sector.
The Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives has approved House Bill No. 4628, authored by Gil Acosta Jr., representative of Palawan’s 3rd District. The measure seeks to establish the first College of Veterinary Medicine in the entire MIMAROPA region at the Western Philippines University Aborlan Campus.
The bill aims to give young Palaweños who want to become veterinarians the chance to study closer to home, without the need to study in other provinces, which often places a heavy financial burden on families.
The proposed college is also expected to strengthen veterinary services for farmers and fisherfolk, particularly in animal health, fisheries, and environmental health.
In an interview with Palawan News, Acosta said the bill is part of a long-term plan to develop Palawan and the MIMAROPA region through investments in education and science.
He said Palawan often lags behind in national government funding for agriculture, despite being one of the country’s largest provinces with vast agricultural land.
Because of this, Acosta said it is important for the bill to become law to ensure sustained support for agriculture in Palawan through the establishment of a local College of Veterinary Medicine.
Acosta expressed confidence that the bill will pass the Senate and become law before the end of his term.
“Approved na siya sa 1st reading, pumasok na sa komite at ibabalik na ulit sa plenary at nakapag-usap na kami ni Bong Go at Tulfo na pagpasa sa kanila ay sila ang sasalo sa Senate. At least, mas madali ngayon dahil may kasangga tayo sa Senado,” Acosta said.
“This is one of the things na regardless kung sino ang naka-upo, ay matutukan ang agrikultura sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng Veterinary Medicine dito sa Western Philippines University,” he added.
Acosta said the proposed college would greatly benefit Palaweños and should be maximized once enacted into law, as Palawan’s development direction is increasingly shifting toward agriculture alongside tourism.
During the committee hearing, representatives from the academe and various government agencies expressed support for the bill, including officials from Western Philippines University and the Commission on Higher Education, who recognized the need for a College of Veterinary Medicine in Palawan.
