The Cebu Provincial Government has expanded its medical scholarship program to support 72 aspiring doctors, providing financial assistance to more students who will eventually serve communities across the province.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced the expansion on Monday during the opening day of Cebu Province’s 457th Founding Anniversary celebration, as the Capitol formally welcomed scholars from the Cebu Normal University–Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (CNU-VSMMC).

“I wish you well in your studies. The Cebu Province has your back,” Baricuatro told the scholars.

The expanded program now covers 42 first-year, 22 second-year, and eight third-year medical students.

The scholarship program was created through a tripartite agreement signed in February between the Cebu Provincial Government, Cebu Normal University, and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. It aims to support qualified medical students who were not covered by the Commission on Higher Education’s Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program.

The province initially committed to supporting 40 first-year medical students. However, Capitol officials later identified 30 continuing medical students whose previous scholarship assistance had been discontinued, placing their medical education at risk.

These included 22 second-year students and eight third-year students who were added to the program to ensure they could continue their studies.

Scholars to serve Cebu communities

Under the scholarship program, every year of financial assistance corresponds to one year of return service.

After completing their medical education and obtaining the required professional qualifications, scholars will have the opportunity to serve in Cebu Province’s 16 Capitol-run hospitals.

Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said the initiative reflects the provincial government’s long-term commitment to building a stronger healthcare workforce.

“This is Gov. Pam planting seeds for Cebu’s future by investing in people, investing in training, and investing in a healthcare system that will remain strong and responsive during and beyond her time in office,” Catalan said.

“As Cebu celebrates 457 years of history, the Province is not only honoring its past but also preparing the next generation of doctors who will care for Cebuanos in the years ahead,” she added.

Provincial Board Member Stanley Caminero, chairperson of the board’s committee on health, said the partnership benefits both the scholars and the province by helping students complete their medical education while developing a pool of doctors who can eventually serve in government hospitals and local communities.

The expanded medical scholarship program forms part of Cebu’s continuing efforts to address healthcare workforce shortages and establish a sustainable pipeline of doctors for the province’s public health system.

Through the initiative, the provincial government aims to strengthen healthcare services while creating more opportunities for future medical professionals committed to serving Cebuanos.

Photos: Arlene S. Chua Solis