The Provincial Government of Northern Samar Medical Scholarship Program (PGNS MSP) Board has set the screening of this year’s applicants for medical scholarship, the 7th batch, on the first week of August.
Convening earlier today, July 22, 2026, at the Provincial
Capitol, the PGNS MSP Board initially checked on the academic performance and
financial status of the medical scholarship applicants based on their documents
submitted, and set the schedule for panel interview on August 6, 2026. Of the
11 applications received, the Board agreed to call for interview 9 scholarship
candidates who will undergo panel assessment to determine the best fit for the
few slots available.
The meeting discussions also centered on the medical
scholars’ feedback on the value of the Immersion Program and the general
provisions of the scholarship policy, contained in Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Ordinance No. 8 established in 2020 under the leadership of then Governor Edwin
Ongchuan.
At present, 10 licensed doctors have already been produced
under the PGNS MSP and deployed to the different public hospitals in the
province, with 33 more medical scholars continuing their doctor of medicine
through the support of the Provincial Government.
As the Board braces for the next batch of medical scholars,
Atty. Efren Sabong, Provincial Administrator and member of the PGNS MSP Board,
reiterated to the group the need to be consistent in the application of the
scholarship conditions, while also welcoming the idea of subjecting the program
for review, after already 6 years of successful implementation.
Dr. Ma. Aurora Vicencio, Provincial Health Officer and chair
of the Board, echoed the call of the members to revisit the program,
considering the current and future need of the Provincial Government for
doctors, as against licensing requirements and projected demand for healthcare
services.
With the doctor of medicine program also launched in
Northern Samar by the University of Eastern Philippines which offers similar
scholarship privileges to medical students, Provincial Budget Officer Adelwisa
Acebuche also proposed to incorporate this new development in crafting policy
changes.
After 6 years that the program has continuously been carried
out, the PGNS MSP has proven an effective approach of Governor Harris Ongchuan
and the Provincial Government in addressing the need for doctors in public
health facilities in the province.
Also present during the PGNS MSP Meeting were Members of the
Board - PHRMDO head Mr. Ruel Jarito and OIC Provincial Accountant, Mr. Arnel
Estigoy, and TWG Members led by Dr. John Ezekiel Valera, PHO I.
For more news and updates, visit:
►http://northernsamar.gov.ph
Subscribe to our YouTube account: ►https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRkURQbWNWtVo9rrAIdnlnA
Like our Facebook page:
►PGNS: https://www.facebook.com/PGNS.Official
Follow us on Twitter:
►https://twitter.com/nsamarpio