Marikina offers aspiring doctors scholarships

All medical board passers will have to render two years of service to the city government.

The city government of Marikina is offering full medical scholarship grants in nine selected medical schools in Metro Manila to city residents who aspire to become doctors.

Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro signed City Ordinance 078 Series 2019, or the “Libreng Pag-aaral sa Pagdodoktor para sa Marikeños,” during a ceremonial signing at the Shoe Hall.

The city ordinance was primarily authored by Vice Mayor Dr. Marion Andres. He pushed for its passage in the City Council.

Under the city ordinance, the scholarship grant can only be availed at these schools: Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila; Far Eastern University; Emilio Aguinaldo College; Manila Central University; University of Sto. Tomas; Fatima University; University of the East; University of Perpetual Help System DALTA; and St. Luke’s College of Medicine.

Qualified for the scholarship grants are: passers of the entrance examination for medicine in the any of the above mentioned schools; must be a bona fide Marikina resident; must not be more than 30 years of age upon graduating from a pre-medicine course; must submit a letter of intent availing of the “Libreng Pag-aaral sa Pagdodoktor para sa Marikeños” scholarship program grants; has obtained a bachelor’s degree that is considered as a pre-medicine course; and has passed and has been endorsed by the Medical Scholarship Grant Secretariat and the Medical Scholarship Board.

Section 4 of the ordinance says the medical scholarship program will only be limited to five slots per school year.

Andres, a doctor by profession, said he wrote the ordinance in order for others to to pursue a career in the medical field.

“I am also a beneficiary of a college scholarship. That’s why I was able to study medicine, even if I came from a poor family. My father was a war veteran. That’s why I was able to avail of a medical scholarship,” he said.

“Because of this reason, I authored this ordinance to help aspiring doctors. I promised this to our fellow Marikeños during the campaign period. That is why I fulfilled it,” the vice mayor added.

Teodoro said medical scholars of the local government, who have passed the board exam, must render two years of professional service to the City Government of Marikina from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as local doctors.