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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3865

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Anecdotal evidence and personal experience show that there is a mass exodus of
Filipino doctors to foreign countries perceived to give better medical training and/ or job
stability or salaries. As a result, our local hospitals and health facilitiés are usually
undermanned and lack medical specialists. It is the sad reality of our time that many
young doctors seek better pay and greener pastures in other countries because the
remuneration afforded them here is not commensurate to all the expenses incurred in
medical school. These young doctors search for opportunities that properly compensate
not only their efforts, but also their parents’ to send them to medical school.

This migration of doctors, however, can be avoided if help is given to them to easily
manage their expenses for trainings and education. Currently, the tuition fee in
recognized medical schools range from 30,000 to 80,000 pesos per student, per semester.
This does not include other expenses such as food and lodging, books, transportation and
others. With this amount of spending necessary to obtain a medical license, it becomes
human nature to want to re-earn what has been spent. To lessen the number of medical
practitioners leaving the country, this measure is being filed with the hope of easing their
financial burdens that in turn will translate to better doctor retention and excellent
patient care.

This bill seeks to provide scholarships in state-run medical universities or colleges
to qualified students. The scholarship shall be given to qualified students applying for a
slot in the medical school and shall cover the matriculation, laboratory and miscellaneous
fees, Allowances shall also be given for required text books, school supplies, equipment,
uniform, transportation, board and lodging, food and living expenses. As part of the grant
of scholarships, the students, upon graduation shall be required to render five (5) years
of continued service and medical practice in the country - two (2) of which shall be ina
government-run hospital or facility. It is hoped that this initiative will lead to better
medical services and patient care that will benefit the nation as a whole.

Support for this bill is earnestly sought.

24 District, Davao Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. Seep

Introduced by Representative JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT
PROVIDING MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
TO QUALIFIED STUDENTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Medical Scholarship Act of 2019."

SECTION 2. A scholarship in a state-run university or college shall be granted to any

aspiring medical student, subject to the following qualifications:

a) Must have obtained a percentile score of 90% or above in the
National Medical Admission Test;

b) Must belong to the upper 15% of the student's batch;

©) Must be a Filipino citizen with no pending application for
immigration to any foreign country;

d) Must have complied with all the requirements and such other
qualifications the state-run university or college may deem

necessary for admission.

SECTION 3. The scholarship grant shall cover expenses for, among others, tuition,
laboratory and miscellaneous fees; required textbooks; school supplies and
equipment; clothing and uniform allowances; transportation costs; board and lodging

expenses; and subsistence and living allowance.


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equipment; clothing and uniform allowances; transportation costs; board and lodging

expenses; and subsistence and living allowance.

SECTION 4. The benefits of the scholarship grant shall continue until the completion
of the program, subject to the following conditions:

a) The scholar should finish the entire program without any delays;

b) The scholar must maintain an average grade of not less than 85% or
its equivalent in the state-run university or college;

©) The scholar must not obtain a failing grade in any of his subjects
during the entire duration of the program;

d) No other scholarship grant shall be accepted by the scholar while
enjoying the benefits of this Act.

Failure of the scholar to comply with any of the above qualifications will cause

the automatic revocation of his scholarship benefits.

SECTION 5. Immediately after graduating from the medical school program, the
scholar must work in the country for five (5) consecutive years, two (2) of which shall

be served in a government-run hospital or medical fac

- Preference shall be given

to a medical facility where the scholar resides.

Non-compliance with this condition will necessitate the reimbursement by the

scholar of all the scholarship benefits and expenses incurred during his study.

SECTION 6. Within sixty (60) days from the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Health, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education and representatives
from state universities and colleges concerned shall promulgate and issue the
Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this

Act.


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SECTION 7. All laws, decrease, executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations and
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act
are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. The invalidity, unconstitutionality or unenforceability of any provision of
this Act shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions

hereof.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.