UP Manila Partners with Lawmakers to Train Health Workers for Homonhon Island

The University of the Philippines Manila has teamed up with two lawmakers to establish a specialized health education program for 25 residents of Homonhon Island, Eastern Samar. This initiative seeks to develop a sustainable healthcare workforce rooted within the local community.

Participants will undergo integrated training designed to qualify them as midwives, nurses, and eventually physicians, through a pioneering curriculum from UP Manila’s School of Health Sciences located in Palo, Leyte. Scholars will be selected from the island's eight barangays.

House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan, along with Eastern Samar Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales, will support the scholars by providing financial allowances.

"This will revolutionize public health services in Homonhon with community-rooted professionals who will stay and serve their people. The island will finally be assured of sustainable, community-based health care," Libanan said.

Gonzales highlighted the current healthcare challenges, noting, "Right now, patients—even in emergency cases—must endure a two-and-a-half-hour motorized boat ride to Guiuan on the mainland. When the seas are rough, travel becomes impossible."

Upon completing the program, graduates are expected to serve at the island’s hospital and contribute to transferring their skills to other community members.

UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee explained, "Our goal is two-fold: to give our students practical training through community preceptorship while multiplying health services for remote areas. This is how we bring universal health care closer to the people."