ILOILO City – This city strengthened its reputation as a center of nursing education after six graduates from three of its universities landed in the Top 10 of the August-September 2026 Nurses Licensure Examination (NLE), while two local universities emerged as the country’s No. 1 top-performing schools.
Four of the six topnotchers came from West Visayas State University (WVSU), while Central Philippine University (CPU) and St. Paul University-Iloilo produced one each.
Leading the Iloilo contingent was CPU graduate Roi Christian Pachica, who placed fourth nationwide with a rating of 91.60 percent.
WVSU’s Criselynn Marie Dela Cruz ranked sixth with 91.20 percent, followed by St. Paul University-Iloilo’s Nathan Gaviola at seventh place with 91 percent.
Another WVSU graduate, Lj Orpheus Soriano, placed ninth with a rating of 90.60 percent.
WVSU graduates Paula Marie Deloria and Gm Grace Garolvillo shared 10th place after both obtained ratings of 90.40 percent.
The strong showing extended beyond the individual topnotchers as all three Iloilo City universities were also recognized among the top-performing nursing schools.
WVSU and St. Paul University-Iloilo both ranked No. 1, while CPU placed fourth.
Iloilo City’s Mayor Raisa Treñas congratulated the new registered nurses and their universities for their performance in the licensure examination.
“Congratulations to our new Ilonggo RNs, labi na gid sa anum naton ka topnotchers nga nag-rank 4, 6, 7, 9, kag 10 sa August-September 2026 Nurses Licensure Examination. Aton man ginapanginbulahan ang mga top performing schools sang Iloilo, West Visayas State University (Rank 1), Central Philippine University (Rank 4) and St. Paul University – Iloilo (Rank 1), sa paghatag sang de-kalidad nga edukasyon sa sini nga mga topnotchers,” Treñas said in her congratulatory message.
The mayor expressed hope that the achievements of the six topnotchers would inspire other young Ilonggos to pursue their ambitions through hard work and perseverance.
“May this be an inspiration para sa aton mga pamatan-on nga wala sang imposible kun kita nagahimakas para malab-ot ang aton mga handum,” Treñas added.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Sept. 18 that 28,652 of the 37,359 examinees passed the Nurses Licensure Examination administered by the Board of Nursing at 26 testing centers nationwide in August and September 2026.
The results translate to a national passing rate of about 76.69 percent.
The Board of Nursing is chaired by Leah Primitiva S. Paquiz, with Elsie A. Tee, Zenaida C. Gagno, Mary Grace C. Lacanaria, Mila Delia M. Llanes, Merle L. Salvani and Josefina A. Tuazon as members./PN
