MANILA – The government has allocated almost PHP1 billion in the proposed 2026 national budget to increase the number of doctors and health professionals serving in underserved communities, Malacañang announced Monday.

In a press briefing held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earmarked PHP997.71 million for the Doktor Para sa Bayan program under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

According to Castro, citing a report from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the bulk of the allocation—PHP909.99 million—will fund the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), while PHP87.71 million will support the Pre-Service Scholarship Program of the Department of Health (DOH).

The funding will cover 245 medical scholars, 122 medical technology scholars, and 104 pharmacy scholars, the Palace said.

“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 said.

Enacted in 2020, the Doktor Para sa Bayan law provides scholarships to qualified medical students in both public and private institutions, requiring graduates to serve in the country’s public health system after passing the licensure examination. (PNA)