Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU-COM welcomes PAASCU accreditors for preliminary visit

By Benedict Jay Collado

Aiming to achieve promising results to signify its readiness for official accreditation, the MMSU College of Medicine (COM) officially welcomed evaluators from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) for a three-day preliminary survey visit today, August 5.

The evaluation, which will run until August 7, focuses on verifying documents and conducting triangulation activities across the program’s core operational areas. In addition, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., expressed strong confidence in earning favorable remarks, citing continuous efforts to enhance the medical curriculum, facilities, research outputs, and community engagement.

Composed of medical educators and administrators from across the Philippines, the panel of evaluators is tasked with reviewing seven critical areas under PAASUC’s standards.

Dr. Joselito Villarus of Western Visayas State University will review Area 1: Leadership and Governance, Dr. Raquel Quino of the University of the Philippines Manila is tasked for Area 2: Quality Assurance, Dr. Rey Delos Reyes of Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation will evaluate Area 3: Resource Management, and Dr. Martin Graciano Raymundo Baquiran of Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health is set to look at Area 4: Teaching-Learning.

Additionally, Dr. Marc Louie Mann of San Beda University will assess Area 5: Student Services, Dr. Michael Dizon of Angeles University Foundation is tasked with Area 6: External Relations, and Dr. Roumilla Mendoza of Western Visayas State University will assess Area 7: Research.

Collaborating with the external panel are their MMSU local counterparts, led by COM Dean James Patrick Peralta, Dr. Aira Cassandra Castro-Agra, Ms. Rowena Tungpalan, Dr. Ina Krista Irapta, Dr. Generose Christy Mateo, Dr. Henry Bolompo, and Dr. Rachelle Bocoboc-Ramos.

The preliminary survey is scheduled to include document verification, facility inspections, and interviews with administrators, faculty, students, and community partners.

As the college undergoes this evaluation, the university remains optimistic that the outcome will reinforce its system, eventually making it ready for its official accreditation.

Established in 2012 and officially opening its Doctor of Medicine program in 2015, the College of Medicine has maintained a 100% passing streak in Physician Licensure Examinations and has produced several topnotchers, including Dr. Christian Andrew Tagami (Rank 9, March 2026), Dr. Aira Cassandra S. Castro (Top 1, March 2023), Dr. Stephen Dann Del Rosario (Rank 9, November 2021), and Dr. Jaymee Quindara (Rank 9, April 2021).