(THE NORTHERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar has welcomed six medical students who qualified for the province’s Medical Scholarship Program (MSP).
The new medical scholars include Trisha Gomba from Gamay; Mark Dennison Leonor, who is from Catubig; Liezl Galias and Krizza Angela Balanquit, both from Pambujan; Ruvie Zyra Capangpangan (Palapag); and Lance Miguel Cajandab from Allen.
These six scholars represent the fifth batch to receive their scholarship certificates from the provincial government after signing their scholarship contract and return service agreement on October 25 at the provincial capitol building.
“Through this medical scholarship, you have given us the opportunity to pursue our calling,” said Leonor, a second-year medical 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 spirit of service inspired by this program,” he added, expressing gratitude to Governor Edwin Ongchuan for implementing the medical scholarship program.
“We look forward to you serving the province. You are our hope for improving health service delivery in our hospitals. While we, your elected officials, will come and go, you will remain in service. I hope you continue to serve our province even after your return service,” the governor added.
He thanked the medical scholarship grantees for joining the program and congratulating them on successfully passing the rigorous screening process of the MSP Board.
As medical scholars of Northern Samar, these students are entitled to various benefits, including P100,000 worth of tuition fees per semester, a stipend of P35,000, a book allowance of P30,000, and a uniform allowance of P5,000.
They are also eligible for additional benefits worth P60,000 for review fees for those taking the Medical Licensure Examination, along with another P35,000 stipend, P30,000 book allowance, and P5,000 uniform allowance.
Since its inception in 2020, the program has produced a total of 27 medical scholars, with five now licensed doctors and a 100 percent passing rate in the licensure examination.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
