The Northern Samar provincial government has welcomed seven new grantees to its Provincial Government Medical Scholarship Program, bringing the total number of scholars supported by the program to 40 over the past six years.

The new scholars, who comprise the program’s seventh batch, were formally admitted through the signing of scholarship contracts and awarding of certificates led by Governor Harris Ongchuan on Aug. 25, according to the provincial government on Wednesday.

Before the contract signing, the scholars were briefed on the terms and conditions of the program, including the financial assistance they will receive from the provincial government for their studies and board examination review.

Under the program, each scholar is entitled to up to PHP200,000 annually for tuition and other school fees, as well as PHP70,000 per semester, or PHP140,000 annually, for stipend, book, and uniform allowances.

“Through the program, we hope to give our capable and deserving Northern Samar students the chance to pursue their dream to become doctors, while also keeping our commitment to strengthen our healthcare system in Northern Samar,” Ongchuan said in a statement.

The scholars were reminded that maintaining their grants requires them to pass all subjects, comply with the requirements of their degree programs, and participate in immersion activities during summer breaks.

The immersion program is designed to familiarize the scholars with Northern Samar’s healthcare system and the realities of serving communities in the province.

With the admission of seven new scholars for academic year 2026–2027, the program has supported 40 medical scholars since its implementation in 2020 under the administration of then-Governor Edwin Ongchuan.

Of the scholars admitted since the program began, 10 have already become doctors. (PNA)