The enrolled copy of the proposed “Doktor para sa Bayan Act” is awaiting the signature of President Duterte, according to House Higher and Technical Education panel Chair Baguio City lone District Rep. Mark Go.
The House leader said the enrolled copy of the measure seeking to grant full medical scholarships to qualified and deserving Filipino students has been transmitted to the Palace for Duterte's signature.
"Soon to become a law is the much-awaited Medical Scholarship and Return Service bill, known as Doktor para sa Bayan, which was already received by the Office of the President last Nov. 25, 2020,” Go said during his panel’s virtual meeting.
Quezon Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan, chairperson of the House Committee on Health and principal author of this bill, earlier thanked Speaker Lord Allan Velasco for the swift ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the bill.
In response to the current COVID-19 crisis, Tan introduced an amendment that made its way in the final version of the approved bill making service in public health office or government hospital in times of pandemic or public health emergency as one of the conditions for the grant of medical scholarship.
The proposed Doktor para sa Bayan Act seeks to establish a Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) program that will help deserving students pursue medical education and training in the field of health and medicine.
In return, the scholars shall eventually render services in government public health offices or government hospitals in their hometown or in any municipality in their home province or in any underserved municipality in any province, as part of their integration in the public health and medical service system.
The measure seeks to ensure the availability of doctors who will provide quality basic, promotive, preventive and curative health care services in every municipality in the country, especially the underserved, remote, economically underdeveloped, distressed, conflict-afflicted, and geographically disadvantaged areas.
Last October, both the Senate and House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill which seeks to address the shortage of medical practitioners in the country.
The bill provides that qualified applicants from municipalities without government doctors shall be prioritized in the allocation of scholarship slots to ensure the assignment of one doctor for every municipality in the country.
The proposed scholarship covers free tuition and other school fees; allowance for prescribed books, supplies and equipment; clothing or uniform allowance; allowance for dormitory or boarding house accommodation; transportation allowance; internship fees, including financial assistance during mandatory internship; medical board review fees; licensure fees; annual medical insurance; and other education-related miscellaneous subsistence or living allowances.
Under the proposed “Doktor para sa Bayan Act”, the scholarship grant shall terminate, and the scholar will have to repay the full cost of scholarship, and related benefits received in case of the following circumstances:
- If the scholar accepts another scholarship from other government or private agency or entity while enjoying the benefits under the proposed Act;
- If the scholar fails to meet the academic requirements or to complete the course within the prescribed period without valid cause as may be determined by the state university and college (SUC) or private higher education institutions (PHEI), or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or Department of Health (DOH) through appropriate regulations.
- If the scholar fails to obtain a passing grade in the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) within five years from the time the scholar has completed the mandatory partnership program.
The bill mandates the scholar to render the mandatory return service within six years from the time of passing the PLE for those who have availed of a four-year program, and seven years for those who have availed of a five-year program.
A physician who has availed of the MSRS Program but fails or refuses to comply with the mandatory return service and integration shall be required to pay two times the full cost of scholarship, including other benefits and expenses incurred by reason of participation in the MSRS Program.
In case of non-payment, the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) shall deny the renewal of the physician’s license.
However, such penalties shall not apply to physicians who fail to comply with the required return swerve on account, or by reason of, severe or serious illness.