The Northern Samar provincial government has produced five doctors in the past four years under its medical scholarship program (MSP).

Since the launch of the program in 2020, all five who took the Physician Licensure Examination are passers and now serving in hospitals in the province.

Governor Edwin Ongchuan said in a statement on Monday that scholars are assured of joining the provincial government health workforce once they complete their medical degree and pass the licensure examination.

“We look forward to their service to the province. They are our hope to improve health service delivery in our hospitals. While we, the elected officials will come and go, our medical schools will remain in the service,” Ongchuan said.

He thanked the medical scholarship grantees for joining the program and congratulated them for successfully passing the stringent screening process of the MSP Board.

As provincial medical scholars, the aspiring doctors are entitled to a PHP100,000 tuition fee per semester, a PHP35,000 stipend, a PHP30,000 book allowance, and a PHP5,000 uniform allowance.

A PHP60,000 review fee will also be granted to those who will be taking the licensure examination.

On Oct. 25, the provincial government welcomed six medical students who qualified for the MSP, bringing the total number of the program beneficiaries to 27.

The six new medical scholars are Trisha Gomba from Gamay town, Mark Dennison Leonor from Catubig town, Liezel Galias from Pambujan town, Ruvie Zyra Capangpangan from Palapag town, Lance Miguel Cajandab from Allen town and Krizza Angela Balanquit from Pambujan town.

The fifth batch to receive their scholarship grants signed their contracts and return service agreements at the capitol.

“Through this medical scholarship, you have given us the opportunity to pursue our calling,” Leonor said in a phone interview Monday.

He is a sophomore student at the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation in Tacloban City.

“We are not just aspiring to become doctors but to become doctors who will serve and uplift the health of our province, guided by the same spirit of service inspired by this program,” Leonor added.

The scholars are required to serve provincial-run hospitals upon becoming licensed doctors depending on the number of years they availed of the program. (PNA)