6 students get Marikina medical scholarship program

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro (right) with one of the beneficiaries of the scholarship grant. Photo courtesy of Marikina PIO

MANILA, Philippines — Six aspiring doctors, including a victim of the Typhoon Ulysses, have received Marikina city government’s medical scholarship grant, City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said Friday.

In a statement, Teodoro said two medical students living in Marikina were qualified for the gold scholarship grant, which provides P150,000 educational assistance. Educational aid includes funds for “transportation, allowances, board and lodging allowances, uniforms, textbooks, and other necessary supplies.”

“Maraming mga taga Marikina na gustong maging doctor. Although gusto nilang maging doctor, pero hirap sila financially. Kaya minabuti nating bigyan sila ng scholarship,” Teodoro pointed out.

(A lot of Marikina residents want to be a doctor but they are struggling financially. That’s why we are giving scholarships.)

Those who received the gold scholarship grant are Erika Mercado of Barangay Concepcion Dos and Jemicah Tristian Cobarrubias of Barangay Jesus Dela Pena, said Teodoro.

The mayor said Mercado’s father suffered a stroke while her mom is currently a public school teacher in the city.

Meanwhile, Cobarrubias’ house was destroyed after it was ravaged by Typhoon Ulysses in November 2020. His parents are both working as online sellers.

Teodoro also announced four students received silver scholarship grants, which has P75,000 educational aid.

Qualified for this scholarship are Dale Joseph Dino, Angelica Reyes, Christina Joyce Diano, and Angelo Franco Piamonte.

The scholarship program stemmed from an ordinance signed in October 2019, which aims to provide scholarship to deserving Marikina residents who are enrolled in a medical program in Metro Manila schools.

The ordinance states that the scholarship grant can only be availed by students from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Far Eastern University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila Central University, University of Santo Tomas, Fatima University, University of the East, University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA, and St. Luke’s College of Medicine.

Qualified students must “pass the entrance examination for medicine, a bona fide Marikina resident, not more than 30 years of age upon graduating from a pre-medicine course, and must send a letter of intent on availing of the scholarship grant.”

JPV