Kuala lumpur: The government has earmarked nearly PHP1 billion in next year's budget to boost the number of doctors and health professionals serving in underserved communities, Malaca±ang said Monday. In a press briefing on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced that the Department of Budget and Management has allocated PHP997.71 million under the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program for the Doktor Para sa Bayan program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the majority of the funds, amounting to PHP909.99 million, will be directed towards the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program of the Commission on Higher Education. Meanwhile, PHP87.71 million is set aside for the Pre-Service Scholarship Program of the Department of Health, as detailed by Castro, citing a report from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The financial allocation is aimed at supporting 245 medical scholars, 122 medical technology scholars, and 104 pharmacy scholars, the Palace confirmed. '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 stated.

The Doktor Para sa Bayan law, which was enacted in 2020, provides scholarships for qualified medical students in both public and private institutions. It mandates that graduates must serve in the country's public health system after passing the licensure examination.