By Dennis Baguio (PNA)
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Governor Wilter Yap Palma has an advice for parents in this province: encourage children to pursue their dreams to become professionals someday.
Palma gave the advice as he expressed elation that Diplahan, a third-class municipality and hometown of the governor, has produced three new physicians based on the licensure exam result released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday.
The three Diplahanons were among the nine Sibugaynons who passed the medical licensure exam given in September.
PRC data showed that nationwide, 3,717 passed the licensure exam.
“I am extending my heartfelt congratulations to the new physicians who made it after arduous years of study to achieve their dreams,” said Palma, who hails and has served as mayor in nearby Diplahan town before he was elected governor in 2013.
Palma noted that one of the three Diplahanons who passed the licensure exam is a working student and the son of a farmer.
Dr. Rene Boy Decosto, 22, is the son of Jose and Rosel who are farmers. They are residents of Barangay Ditay, which is located 15 km. away from the town center of Diplahan.
The young Decosto, who studied in Mindanao State University in Marawi City, has withstood hardship in life to fulfill his dreams to become a physician, according to Arnie Catapang, his uncle.
Palma said Decosto is a living example that being the son of a farmer is not a hindrance to reach the ambitions of the children, who wanted to be a physician, lawyer or an engineer in the future.
The other two residents of Diplahan who passed the medical licensure exam are Dr. Michael Angelo Songcuya and Dr. Dominique Therese Palma.
Dominique is the daughter of 1st District Provincial Board Member Eric and Ybonne Palma.
Eric, a lawyer, is the younger brother of the governor.
The other six new physicians who are from this province are Dr. Jorgee Paula Castillo; Dr. Ruby Grace Quinto; Dr. Evangeline Gallemit; Dr. Emmanuel Olmoguez II; Dr. Ernesto Jose Babiera; and Dr. Lysa Marie Ernestine Babiera.
Recently, Kristel Rose W. Palma, daughter of the governor and Aida Palma, has also passed the Certified Public Accountant licensure exam.
The governor’s wife is also an accountant by profession.
