Thirty aspiring doctors from Taguig will receive full medical scholarships worth up to ₱590,000 annually under a new city government program aimed at producing more physicians for local communities.
Mayor Lani Cayetano led the awarding ceremony for the first beneficiaries of the Investing in the Value of Education through Stewardship for Taguigeños Scholarship Program for Medicine.
The inaugural group, called Batch Tanglaw, will receive full coverage of tuition and miscellaneous fees, along with a monthly allowance of ₱15,000 throughout medical school.
The value of each scholarship may reach ₱590,000 per year, depending on the medical institution. The scholars have been admitted to schools ranked among the country’s top 10 medical institutions.
Cayetano said the program seeks to increase the number of physicians who could eventually help address Taguig’s healthcare needs.
The 30 scholars were selected from 127 applicants after a screening process that assessed academic performance, financial need and commitment to public service.
The city government said it has supported more than 130,000 scholars enrolled in colleges and universities. More than 6,000 have become licensed professionals, including 88 physicians.
Among the first beneficiaries are Joy Charity Heart Santos of Lower Bicutan and Bernadette Jerusalem of Bagumbayan.
Both said their parents’ illnesses inspired them to pursue medicine and devote their careers to serving others.