Dear PAO,

I am a nursing student graduating from a public school, and I aspire to take up medicine once I finish my pre-med course. However, due to financial constraints, I wish to know if there are any scholarship programs by the government that I can consider applying for so that I can study medicine with a lower or no tuition fee to be paid.

Lyan

Dear Lyan,

Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) 11509, otherwise known as the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, may be applicable to you. The said law states the following:

“Section 5. Qualification Requirements. – An applicant for the MSRS Program shall possess the following qualifications:

“(a) Must be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;

“(b) Must be a graduating student or a graduate of an appropriate undergraduate program identified as a prerequisite for a Doctor of Medicine degree, from any HEI duly recognized by the CHED, including a direct entrant to the Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) Program who satisfactorily completes the first two (2) years of the Program: Provided, That deserving incoming second year medical students and those in the higher year levels of the Doctor of Medicine Program shall also be covered under this Act, as long as they complied with the academic requirements and retention policies of the school in the past terms preceding their scholarship application;

“(c) Must have passed the entrance examination and complied with other related requirements for admission into a Doctor of Medicine degree in the SUC or PHEI where the scholar intends to enroll, as well as the other requirements of the CHED and the DOH; and

“(d) Must have obtained a National Medical Admission Tests (NMAT) score mandated by the CHED and required by the SUC or PHEI where the student intends to enroll in.”

Furthermore, you must take note of the following disqualifications under the said law:

“Section 7. Disqualifications. – The scholarship grant shall terminate, and the scholar shall repay the full cost of scholarship and related benefits received, including all the expenses incurred during the participation in the scholarship program in case of the following circumstances:

“(a) If the scholar accepts another scholarship from other government or private agency or entity while enjoying the benefits under this Act;

“(b) If the scholar fails to meet the academic requirements or to complete the course within the prescribed period without valid cause as may be determined by the SUC or PHEI, or the CHED or DOH through appropriate regulations, such as, but not limited to, absence without notice, willful neglect or other causes within the control of the scholar;

“(c) If the scholar fails to obtain a passing grade in the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) within five (5) years from the time the scholar has completed the mandatory internship program: Provided, That, instead of repaying the full cost of the scholarship and related expenses, the scholar whose scholarship status has been terminated under Section 7(b) or 7(c) of this Act may opt to engage in work within the public health service system, such as engaging in health-related research work for the government or teaching health-related subjects in a public educational institution, or being integrated into the public health service system for a period prorated to the number of years of mandatory return service provided under this Act: Provided, further, That the alternative return service shall exclude the period of mandatory internship and residency training that is undertaken in a private health institution or facility; and

“(d) While being a scholar, the scholar commits gross misconduct in a manner that would bring significant damage to the SUC or PHEI concerned or to the community as a whole.”

The government has declared under Section 2 of RA 11509 that it is the policy of the state to protect and promote the right to health of the people, and to promote social justice by expanding access to quality education and creating opportunities for underprivileged individuals. Thus, the state established the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program (MSRS) that is specifically made for deserving students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) or in partner private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in regions where there are no SUCs offering a medical course.

This MSRS Program, however, can only be availed of by qualified applicants, as listed above. The said requirements are: a) the applicant must be a Filipino Citizen; b) a graduating student or a graduate of an appropriate undergraduate program identified as a prerequisite for a Doctor of Medicine degree, from any HEI duly recognized by the CHEd; c) passed the entrance examination and complied with other related requirements for admission into a Doctor of Medicine degree in the SUC or PHEI where the scholar intends to enroll, as well as the other requirements of the CHEd and the DoH; and d) have obtained a National Medical Admission Tests (NMAT) score mandated by the CHEd and required by the SUC or PHEI where the student intends to enroll in. Furthermore, you must not fall under the disqualifications, or you will be made to repay the full cost of the scholarship and related benefits.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. Please be reminded that this advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated on.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Question for Chief Acosta may be sent to [email protected]