Senator Joel Villanueva has asked the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and other concerned government agencies to release the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law granting scholarship for qualified medical students.

The chairman of the Senate higher education committee said the government should also focus on recruiting future medical practitioners to serve the country, through the Republic Act No. 11509 or "Doktor Para sa Bayan" Act.

“Coming from the pandemic, this is the most important health insurance we should have,” Villanueva, sponsor and co-author of the law, said in a statement Thursday, June 17.

"Future physicians are the most important hire the government should make at this time," he pointed out.

"We're confident that the Commission on Higher Education is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to the implementing rules of this very important measure. We hope that the IRR is released just before the Academic Year opens in the next few months," the senator appealed.

Villanueva said the medical scholarship program, when fully implemented, "will double the number of medicine graduates in the country and bring medical services closer to far-flung communities through the return service program."

The scholarship covers tuition and other school fees; books, supplies, and equipment; clothing, dormitory and transportation allowances; internship, medical board review and licensure fees; and a monthly stipend.

Once scholars obtain their licenses, they would “repay” the state by serving as physicians in underserved communities and government facilities, Villanueva noted.

Under the law signed December 23, 2020, the IRR shall be issued by the CHED and the Department of Health (DOH) within 120 days from its effectivity.

“Tulad po ng mga ating mga government projects, do not delay rin po ang panawagan natin sa implementasyon ng Doktor para sa Bayan law, alang-alang buhay at kalusugan at kalusugan ng ating mamamayan (Like in government projects, our appeal is to not delay the implementation of the Doktor Para sa Bayan law, for the sake of our people's health and welfare),” Villanueva said.