Ten aspiring Marikeño doctors are one step closer to their goals as they were each granted medical scholarships by the Marikina City local government on Thursday, June 9.
Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro gave the recipients their scholarship grants for the coming academic semester in a simple gathering at the Marikina City Hall.
Authored by Vice Mayor Dr. Marion Andres, Ordinance No. 078, series of 2019 or the "Libreng Pag-aaral sa Pagdodoktor para sa mga Marikeño'' gives eligible applicants the opportunity to pursue careers as doctors or medical practitioners by offering full financial aid.
According to the ordinance, those eligible for the Gold Scholarship Grant were each given around P150,000, while those who qualified for the Silver Scholarship Grant got P75,000.
Teodoro signed Executive Order No. 35 series of 2020 which details the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ordinance.
The city currently has 14 medical scholars, according to the public information office (PIO).
"Bagamat malaking gastos ang magpaaral ng medisina, sulit naman ito sa oras na nakapagpatapos na (Although it is costly to study medicine, it is worth the time and effort once the years of study have been accomplished)," said Teodoro.
The mayor said the local government is striving to increase the number of doctors in the city who have true compassion for their fellow citizens and are devoted to public service.
"Ang pinakamahusay na paraan para gumaling ang isang may sakit ay ang pag-aalaga ng kanyang kapwa at ang pagpaparamdam na mahal siya nito (The most effective way to heal the sick is to care for them and making them feel loved)," he added in a message to the beneficiaries.
The event was also attended by Councilor Manny Sarmiento and Councilor-elect Jojo Banzon.
The scholarship is only accepted in select medical schools including the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Far Eastern University (FEU), Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila Central University, University of Santo Tomas (UST), Fatima University, University of the East (UE), University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA, and St. Luke’s College of Medicine.
As per the ordinance, applicants must submit proof of admission to one of the medical schools stated above, a physical examination result, a letter of intent addressed to Mayor Teodoro, elementary and high school diplomas, proof of Marikina residency, a copy of their birth certificate, and an endorsement letter from the Medical Scholarship Grant Secretariat.
Interested applicants may contact the Office of Vice Mayor Marion Andres via land-line (8532-7223) or visit his office located at the second floor of the Legislative Building.