A New Era in Medical Education Begins: CSU-CRMC School of Medicine Officially Inaugurated

Cotabato City | July 11, 2026 — A landmark chapter in healthcare and higher education unfolded as the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) and Cotabato State University (CSU) formally inaugurated the CSU-CRMC School of Medicine, marking a historic partnership to produce competent, compassionate, and globally competitive physicians who will serve Mindanao and beyond.

The inauguration brought together national and regional leaders, government officials, healthcare professionals, academic partners, faculty members, students, and stakeholders in celebration of a shared vision to advance medical education, innovation, research, and quality healthcare.

The program featured the Welcome Address of Dr. Rodolfo C. Ng, Dean of the CSU-CRMC School of Medicine, followed by a video presentation highlighting the milestones that led to the establishment of the medical school.

Messages of support were delivered by Hon. Abdulraof A. Macacua, Interim Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM); Commissioner Desiderio R. Apag III of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Hon. Mohammad Ali "Bruce" Matabalao, City Mayor of Cotabato; and Dr. Celia Mabalatan, Officer-in-Charge of the Allied Health Services and Training Officer of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), representing Medical Center Chief Dr. Gerardo Aquino Jr.

In their remarks, Interim Chief Minister Macacua and Mayor Matabalao pledged scholarship assistance for deserving medical students, reaffirming their commitment to expanding access to quality medical education and investing in the next generation of physicians who will serve the Bangsamoro Region and neighboring communities.

A defining moment of the program was the keynote address delivered by former Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama Jr., a proud Cotabateño whose vision and leadership became the driving force behind the establishment of the CSU-CRMC School of Medicine. Recognizing the growing need to develop more physicians in Mindanao, Dr. Dumama championed the partnership between Cotabato State University and Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, laying the foundation for what has now become a historic institution. In his inspiring message, he emphasized that the School of Medicine is not merely an academic institution but a lasting investment in the region's healthcare future—one that will produce competent, compassionate, and community-oriented physicians committed to serving the people of Mindanao.

The program also featured the Words of Commitment from CSU President Prof. Sema G. Dilna, EdD, and CRMC Medical Center Chief II Dr. Ishmael R. Dimaren, who reaffirmed their institutions' unwavering dedication to academic excellence, collaborative research, community service, and the continuous development of future physicians equipped to address the evolving healthcare needs of the Bangsamoro Region and beyond.

The formal program concluded with the Closing Remarks of Dr. Kundo M. Pahm Jr., Vice President of Cotabato State University, who thanked all partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support in making the CSU-CRMC School of Medicine a reality.

The celebration culminated in the formal inauguration, unveiling, and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the fifth floor of the CRMC Phase II Building, officially opening the CSU-CRMC School of Medicine. More than the launch of a new academic institution, the School of Medicine stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in transforming healthcare, expanding educational opportunities, and building a healthier future for Mindanao and the Bangsamoro region.

Source: https://crmc.doh.gov.ph/34-press-release/2052-a-new-era-in-medical-education-begins-csu-crmc-school-of-medicine-officially-inaugurated