Catarman: The Northern Samar provincial government has awarded PHP3 million in grants to 51 beneficiaries of its Nursing Scholarship Program. The financial assistance, which was released on Thursday, covers stipends, book allowances, and uniform allowances for the previous semester. It was distributed to scholars from the program's first and second batches as part of the provincial government's ongoing investment in healthcare education.

According to Philippines News Agency, Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan reaffirmed the scholarship program's primary goal: addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who play a vital role in delivering quality healthcare services. 'Improving health outcomes is about ensuring that we have competent, compassionate, and dedicated professionals who will serve our people,' Ongchuan said.

The governor encouraged the scholars to remain committed to their studies and manage their financial assistance responsibly. The local government stated that the scholarship program is designed to support aspiring nurses who will eventually serve Northern Samar through a return-service commitment, helping address the province's growing need for healthcare workers.

Under the program, each scholar is entitled to a comprehensive package of benefits, including school fees, related learning expenses, a stipend, and allowances for uniforms and books totaling more than PHP70,000 per semester. With 31 scholars from the first batch last year and 20 new grantees in the second batch, the provincial government now supports 51 nursing scholars in the program.