From left: OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, Pasig City Administrator Atty. Jeron U. Manzanero, Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, Pasig City Mayor Vico N. Sotto, Ateneo Professional Schools Vice President Dr. John Paul Vergara, and ASMPH Dean Dr. Cenon R. Alfonso during the MOA signing for the scholarship program at the Meralco Headquarters in Pasig City.
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has partnered with the government of Pasig and Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) for a program that aims to provide financial support to aspiring doctors from the city.
Under the memorandum of agreement (MOA), five Pasig residents from financially challenged families who intend to pursue a five-year joint degree of Doctor of Medicine and Master of Business Administration at the ASMPH will receive a scholarship grant from One Meralco Foundation (OMF) and Pasig local government unit (LGU).
OMF, Meralco’s social development arm, will shoulder the scholars’ major expenses such as tuition fees and miscellaneous fees; while the Pasig LGU will pay their recurring expenses like uniform allowance, food, and transportation subsidies.
“After successfully completing the course, they will return to Pasig City to serve in our public hospitals including the Pasig City General Hospital and the Pasig City Children’s Hospital or even in the Pasig City Health Department,” OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said during the MOA signing held recently.
He added that the Meralco-Pasig Scholarship Grant is a way to honor the exceptional sacrifices of doctors and healthcare workers, especially demonstrated during the pandemic, and encourage young people to take up medicine and serve communities in the country.
“We think that we can best begin this right in the very city where Meralco and the Ateneo School of Medicine are proud citizens, our very own Pasig City,” Tarayao said.
Through the scholarship grant, the Pasig LGU hopes to contribute to the strengthening of the Philippines’ public healthcare system.
“Infrastructure is important. Medicine is important. The supplies and equipment, they are all important. But at the end of the day, it’s about the people. If we have good people in government, in our public healthcare sector, working for our public healthcare system, then you know that our people will be in good hands,” Pasig City Mayor Vico N. Sotto said during the same event.
Ateneo Professional Schools Vice President Dr. John Paul Vergara acknowledged the importance of the scholarship program and pledged support to the incoming scholars of OMF and Pasig LGU.
“We are of course excited to work with the Pasig government and to bring more Pasigueños into our medical school and forge a meaningful and lasting partnership,” he said.
Meralco President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, for his part, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have witnessed the heroism of our healthcare workers and front-liners who have inspired many young Filipinos to pursue medical professions. Through this medical scholarship program, we hope to help deserving young Pasigueños achieve their ambitions while producing more doctors for our country’s needs.”
“We in Meralco are deeply honored to invest in our young people and to contribute to the improvement of public health in Pasig for many years to come,” he concluded.
Interested students may submit their applications until March 15, 2022, and will be given until May 16, 2022 to complete their requirements. For detailed application guidelines on the Meralco-Pasig Scholarship Grant, visit: https://www.facebook.com/100066291500027/posts/290923109794070/.#