P186 million has been allocated for the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) under the 2026 national budget law, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said on Monday.
“By financially supporting deserving medical students, especially those from underserved communities, we are also helping address the chronic shortage of doctors in far-flung and impoverished areas,” Libanan, a 4Ps party-list representative, said in a statement.
“We want more Filipino physicians to serve where they are needed most,” he said.
Libanan identified participating SUCs as Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Mariano Marcos State University, University of Northern Philippines, Cagayan State University, Isabela State University, Bulacan State University, Batangas State University, Cavite State University, Southern Luzon State University, Bicol University, West Visayas State University, Bohol Island State University, Cebu Normal University-Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences, Samar State University-Samar Island Institute of Medicine, Western Mindanao State University, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, University of Southeastern Philippines, Mindanao State University-General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat State University, University of Southern Mindanao, University of the Philippines Manila, Palawan State University, Caraga State University, and Mindanao State University-Marawi City.
“Priority is given to applicants residing in municipalities and provinces with low doctor-to-population ratios and high poverty rates, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and disaster-prone or conflict-affected communities,” the lawmaker said.
The program also prioritizes applicants from families earning below P450,000 yearly, Indigenous or ethnic community members, and community health volunteer dependents.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens who are either graduating students or graduates of a pre-medical course required for a Doctor of Medicine degree. “They must also obtain the required National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) score prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education and their chosen SUC, and pass the admission requirements of the participating school,” Libanan said.
After they graduate, they must render the required return service.
