The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released on Wednesday the results of the April 2026 Pharmacists Licensure Examination, with two graduates from Iloilo City securing spots in the top five. A University of San Agustin (USA) alumnus ranked first nationwide, highlighting the strong performance of local institutions.
Top Performers from Iloilo City
Royce Arjan Fantillan of the University of San Agustin topped the examination with a rating of 94.65 percent, the highest among all examinees nationwide. Nepth Micro V. Apil of Central Philippine University (CPU) placed fifth with a rating of 93.50 percent, placing Iloilo City among the top-performing areas in the country for this testing cycle.
The USA celebrated Fantillan's achievement as a reflection of excellence, discipline, and Augustinian values. CPU recognized Apil's dedication and perseverance as an inspiration to the Centralian community.
School Performance
Data from the PRC showed that the University of San Agustin emerged as the top-performing school among institutions with 100 or more examinees, posting a passing rate of 82.43 percent. The national passing rate for the April 2026 Pharmacists Licensure Examination was recorded at 57.62 percent.
Examination Details
The examination was administered by the Board of Pharmacy in various testing centers nationwide. Results were released just three working days after the final day of the examination, reflecting the expedited processing of scores for this cycle.
All successful examinees are required to complete their registration online to obtain their professional identification cards and certificates of registration. The Board of Pharmacy said the schedule and venue for the mass oathtaking of the new pharmacists will be announced in a separate advisory.
Significance of the Achievements
The performance of Fantillan and Apil highlighted the continued academic strength of Iloilo-based institutions in the field of pharmacy. Both universities produced top-ranking examinees in one of the country’s most competitive licensure examinations.
The achievements emphasize the importance of higher education institutions in Western Visayas in upholding professional education standards, demonstrated through board examination results and institutional passing rates. The PRC highlighted that the licensure examination is vital in ensuring that only qualified individuals can practice pharmacy in the Philippines, thus protecting public health and maintaining industry standards.
With two Iloilo City graduates placing in the top five, the April 2026 Pharmacists Licensure Examination further cemented the city’s reputation as a center of academic excellence in the region.
