The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has secured P56.66 million from the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) to continue supporting existing scholars pursuing Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science and Pharmacy through Academic Year (AY) 2026-2027.
The funding will cover 238 ongoing scholars for the second semester of AY 2025-2026 and 300 scholars for the first semester of AY 2026-2027 under the Scholarship Program for Future Medical Technologists and Pharmacists (MTP-SP), ensuring that their financial assistance continues as they work toward completing their degrees.
The move supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to strengthen the country’s health workforce by expanding opportunities for Filipinos to pursue health-related professions and increasing the pipeline of trained healthcare workers needed by communities nationwide.
CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis emphasized that the Commission is committed to supporting current scholars so they can complete their degrees, while simultaneously investing in the next generation of medical technologists and pharmacists to fulfill the nation’s healthcare demands.
The MTP-SP provides financial assistance to qualified Filipino students taking BS Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science and BS Pharmacy in participating higher education institutions.
Under the program, scholars are required to render one year of government service for every year of scholarship received after passing their licensure examination, in accordance with Department of Health guidelines. This allows the program to support students while also helping augment the supply of licensed medical technologists and pharmacists in the public health sector.
For AY 2025-2026, 13 MTP-SP scholars are expected to graduate, including four Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science students and nine Pharmacy students. Upon passing their respective licensure examinations, these scholars can begin fulfilling their return-service obligations and contribute to the country’s health workforce.
The Commission maximized available program funds to prioritize the provision of 71 ongoing scholars from the poorest households and from the special equity group. The remaining ongoing scholars with financial requirements amounting to Php 56,663,250.00 will be covered by the HEDF.
The use of the HEDF is consistent with the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act, which directs CHED to consider the full requirements of existing scholars in programming the Fund to ensure the continuity of their financial support.
With the HEDF allocation, CHED will prioritize existing MTP-SP scholars, allowing them to continue their education and move closer to licensure and eventual service in the country’s healthcare system. (PR)
