Cong. Edgar Chatto sought the explanation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Bohol Island State University (BISU) on the reported scholarship gaps of all Schools of Medicine in the country, including the BISU School of Medicine (SOM) for School Year 2024-2025.
Chatto requested for a meeting with BISU officials led by Dr. Anthony Penaso and SOM Dean Dr. Marvie Hamel Darbandi along with CHED chair at his office at the House of Representatives in Manila.
The inquiry stemmed from information that said only 23 of the 47 in the second batch of BISU SOM enrollees will be covered by the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) program under Republic Act 11509 or the Doktor Para sa Bayan Law.
Chatto asked for an explanation on the gap considering that all 22 in the pioneering batch of BISU SOM enrollees were covered by MSRS.
Under the Doktor Para sa Bayan Law, the MSRS program will be made available to deserving Filipino students who want to pursue a medical doctor degree.
The student financial assistance for the MSRS program includes free tuition and other fees; allowance for prescribed books, supplies, and equipment; clothing or uniform allowance; allowance for dormitory or boarding house accommodation; transportation allowance; internship fees, including financial assistance during the mandatory internship; medical board review fees; licensure fees; annual medical insurance; and other education-related miscellaneous subsistence or living allowances.
An official statement from CHED and BISU are expected to clarify the issue, Chatto said, with Congress taking cognizance of the gap.