DAVAO CITY — The academic landscape of Southern Mindanao once again takes the national spotlight as graduates from San Pedro College (SPC) Davao secured the highest rankings in the March 2026 Medical Technologist Licensure Examination (MTLE).
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced the results early Monday, revealing that multiple examinees from the Davao-based institution placed within the “Top 10,” continuing a decade-long trend of Mindanaoan dominance in the allied health sciences. The high passing rate for regional schools this year highlights a critical shift in educational centers of gravity, moving away from a traditional Manila-centric focus toward regional hubs like Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
For the local community, this achievement is more than a matter of school pride. In a region where rural health units in provinces like Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and the Davao del Norte hinterlands often struggle with a shortage of skilled laboratory personnel, the influx of newly licensed professionals offers a glimmer of hope for provincial healthcare strengthening.
For the youth of Southern Mindanao, these results serve as a powerful “proof of concept.” It demonstrates that high-caliber professional training is accessible within the region, negating the perceived need for “brain drain” toward the capital. When local students top national boards, it encourages regional investment in laboratory infrastructure and scholarship programs, ensuring that the next generation of Mindanaoan scientists can study, pass, and eventually practice medicine within their own communities.
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