THE GOVERNMENT has earmarked nearly P1  billion in next year’s budget to boost the number of doctors and health professionals serving in underserved communities, Malacañang said Monday.

In a press briefing on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Budget and Management allocated PHP997.71 million under the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program for the Doktor Para sa Bayan program.

Majority of the amount or PHP909.99 million will go to the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program of the Commission on Higher Education, while PHP87.71 million will fund the Pre-Service Scholarship Program of the Department of Health, according to Castro, citing a report from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The allocation will support 245 medical scholars, 122 medical technology scholars, and 104 pharmacy scholars, according to the Palace.

“Ang hakbang na ito ng Pangulo ay patunay lamang na ang Marcos administration ay nakatuon sa pagpapatibay ng healthcare system sa bansa at upang mabigyan ng atensyon medikal ang lubos na nangangailangan sa anumang sulok ng bansa (This initiative underscores President Marcos’ commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system and ensuring that medical services reach Filipinos in the most underserved areas),” Castro said.

The Doktor Para sa Bayan law, enacted in 2020, provides scholarships for qualified medical students in both public and private institutions, requiring graduates to serve in the country’s public health system after passing the licensure examination. (PNA)