Many of the new scholars of the Provincial Government’s medical scholarship program have pledged to serve in Ilocos Norte’s far-flung communities in the future, as they accepted the certificate of their academic grant during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, earlier today.
A total of 12 students enrolled at the College of Medicine of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City have qualified as beneficiaries under the said scholarship program, namely Vander John G. Doctor, Herlorraine Peach A. Obispo, Shaira Mae M. Rivera, Rey Benedict Villacillo, first-year students; Czr Decloedt Cedrick S. Abrogena, Jasmin Gail G. Pascual, and Nathalie Faye M. Tunac, second year; Ma. Eloisa T. Pedro and Jasmine C. Buenafe, third year; and Aira Cassandra S. Castro, Joseph Stephen F. Castro, and Fatimah M. Sales, fourth-year students.
“As we all know, noong umupo ako noong 2019 [bilang Senior Board Member], ‘yong mga ospital natin, walang doktor at kung meron man, walang experience. We are enduring a shortage of young professionals and amidst the pandemic, we set out to ensure we have a new generation of homegrown Ilokano doctors,” Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc remarked.
“They now carry a responsibility to reform and give back and have their return service in government institutions dito sa probinsiya natin. Many of them wish to be placed in far-flung areas. It seems that our medical students have very good hearts and ready to give back so we appreciate and we applaud them,” he continued.
The awarding of scholarship was initiated by Board Member Saul Paulo A. Lazo, the principal author of the “Sirmata Provincial Scholarship Ordinance, under which is the Medical Scholarship grant; and the Provincial Education Office headed by Dr. Dany Daquioag, the consultant.
Along with other provincial officials, also present in the awarding was College of Medicine Dean, Dr. Richardo S. Guanzon.The Sangguninang Panlalawigan’s presiding officer, Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos also lauded the scholars, saying:
“We thank you for having the heart to go to the different farther places in Ilocos Norte for your payback time. Thank you so much for that because those [places] are where we really need most of our doctors.”
MMSU’s College of Medicine posted a 100% passing rate in the March 2021 Physician Licensure Examination, with one student landing on the Top 9.(Edison Justin B. Deus, PGIN-CMO)
