SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed that the 2026 national budget has allocated the highest funding to date for the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program.

The MSRS will receive ₱1.1 billion this fiscal year, marking the first time its budget has surpassed the ₱1 billion milestone.

The funding will support 1,000 new medical scholars while continuing to assist 2,869 current scholars training to become doctors.

This allocation aligns with the implementation of the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act (Republic Act No. 11509), which established the MSRS for deserving students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) or partner private higher education institutions in regions where no SUCs offer medical courses.

Upon passing the Physician Licensure Examination, these medical scholars are required to serve in the public health system, rendering at least one year of return service for every year of scholarship they receive.

“Bahagi ng makasaysayang pondong pang-edukasyon ngayong taon ang scholarship para sa susunod na henerasyon ng mga doktor. Mahalaga ito upang matugunan ang kakulangan sa mga doktor at masiguro ang sapat na serbisyong medikal para sa bawat Pilipino,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.