CHED allots P56M for over 500 scholars in medtech, pharmacy

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education will draw P56 million from the Higher Education Development Fund to keep hundreds of medical technology and pharmacy scholars on financial aid through the first semester of the next school year.

The commission announced Thursday, August 13, it will use the funding to cover the schooling of 238 scholars for the second semester of Academic Year 2025-2026, and 300 for the first semester of AY 2026-2027. This is under CHED's "Scholarship Program for Future Medical Technologists and Pharmacists."

CHED said in its news release that it turned to the HEDF after it "maximized available program funds" to prioritize 71 scholars from the poorest households. The rest, with financial requirements totaling P56.66 million, will be paid out of the HEDF.

This scholarship program by CHED gives financial assistance to qualified Filipino students taking BS Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science and BS Pharmacy at participating colleges and universities.

Under the program, scholars owe one year of government service for every year of scholarship they received, to be served after they pass their licensure exams and in line with Department of Health guidelines.

CHED said the arrangement helps augment the supply of licensed medical technologists and pharmacists in the public health sector.

Thirteen MTP-SP scholars are expected to graduate this academic year, specifically four from medical technology or medical laboratory science, nine from pharmacy.

A 2020 study by the i-Price Group found that medical technologists in the Philippines have the lowest compensation among ASEAN countries, earning around P29,444 monthly or P170 per hour.

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