To further strengthen the “Doktor Para sa Bayan” program, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated ₱997.71 million for next year to help address the shortage of doctors in underserved and remote areas.
The announcement was made by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro during a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attended the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits.
According to Castro, the budget will fund the medical scholarship and return service program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the pre-service scholarship program of the Department of Health (DOH).
The program aims to support 235 medical scholars, 122 medical technology scholars, and 104 pharmacy scholars, in line with the administration’s goal of strengthening the country’s healthcare system and improving access to medical services in far-flung communities.
Malacañang stated that every government-supported scholar is envisioned to become a doctor who will serve poor families and communities across the nation.
The “Doktor Para sa Bayan” program’s budget was ₱500 million in 2024. For 2025, the allocation has increased by ₱909.99 million, driven by the continued expansion of the Doctor of Medicine programs in state universities and colleges (SUCs).