“Doktor para sa Bayan” medical scholarship act now signed into law

January 9, 2021 Metro BLISTT

A bill that grants medical scholarships to deserving students that aspire to become doctors is now a law.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11509, also known as the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program Act, or the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act. RA 11509 will establish a scholarship program that prioritizes qualified applicants from municipalities without government physicians, according to Baguio City representative Mark Go, one of the authors and chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
Rep. Mark Go says that under the new law, scholars are required to finish the Doctor of Medicine program within a prescribed time frame, and will serve in their hometowns in a return service program. The length of return service shall be equivalent to the graduates’ years under the scholarship grant.
The law will cover tuition and other school fees, allowance for books, equipment, and uniforms, dormitory and transportation costs, internship fees, as well as medical board review and licensure fees. Scholars will also receive annual medical insurance and other education related subsistence or living allowances.
According to Rep. Mark Go, RA 11509 is a landmark law that is crucial in strengthening the country’s healthcare system as it aims to produce at least one doctor for each municipality.
Go said that the signing of the new law was a welcome and timely development as the country continues to face the coronavirus pandemic. The Baguio solon and higher education chairman added that under the new law, medicine is no longer a far-fetched dream for underprivileged yet deserving students, who wish to rise above their circumstances and serve their respective communities.
Office of Rep. Mark O. Go/PR