By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved Bicol University’s (BU) proposal to offer a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program.
In a social media post, BU said it is the first and only state university in Bicol to offer the DMD course, and the third Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the country after the University of the Philippines Manila and West Visayas State University.
The DMD curriculum is a six-year program that consists of basic science, clinical science, and dental public health courses.
It also consists of six levels (Dentistry I to VI) from General Education in the first year, Basic Medical and Dental Sciences, Pre-Clinical subjects in the next three years, and Clinical Training in the last two years.
Remy Araneta-Mendones, a mother from Legazpi City, expressed gratitude to Bicol University for the new program.
“I am very thankful since my daughter is very interested in taking medical courses. It will save a lot of money if we can avail of the program. We don’t need to go outside the region. Thank you, BU,” Mendones said in an interview.
Meanwhile, Cum laude and Summa Cum laude graduates in Jovellar town, Albay province will receive a PHP5,000 cash incentive from the local government, Mayor Jorem Arcangel said on Wednesday.
In an interview, he said 55 students from different schools in Albay who graduated this school year will receive the incentive.
“We started with few, then last year, 49, at present 55, every time we produce cum laude they will have a PHP5,000 incentive,” Arcangel said.
He said the cash incentive will motivate other students to pursue their studies and aim for honors.
“They can use the money to pay for some requirements for their application when they look for a job and for some who will take a licensure examination,” he said.
Arcangel said those who will claim their incentive must bring the original and photocopy of the certificate of recognition from their school.
“We already set the schedule for distribution,” he added. (PNA)
