In a strategic move to address physician shortages and reinforce hospital-based healthcare services, the Cebu Provincial Government under Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro has formalized two landmark Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) aimed at building a sustainable and community-centered medical workforce across Capitol-run hospitals.
The agreements establish the Provincial Medical Scholarship Program and a Practice-Based Family Medicine Residency Training Program, forming a two-pronged strategy to produce new doctors while upgrading the competencies of those already serving in government hospitals.
Scholarship Program for Future Cebuano Doctors
The first MOA, signed between the Cebu Provincial Government and Cebu Normal University in consortium with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, expands scholarship opportunities for qualified but financially disadvantaged Cebuano medical students.
Beginning Academic Year 2026–2027, the Provincial Government will fund additional scholarship slots, covering full tuition and other academic fees.
During the “Ato Ang Sugbo, Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Night” held on February 13, 2026, Capitol Public Health Consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan explained that scholars will render two years of return service in Cebu Province for every year of scholarship received.
“For example, a student supported for four years will serve eight years in provincial public health offices or Capitol-run hospitals upon passing the Physician Licensure Examination,” Dr. Catalan said.
The Province will provide funding, assist in screening applicants, and coordinate return-service deployment. The academic consortium (CNU-VSMMC) will select scholars and monitor their academic performance.
The program directly addresses the long-standing challenge of physician distribution, particularly in geographically distant municipalities and underserved areas, while creating a structured pipeline of doctors committed to serving Cebu.
Residency Training for Provincial Doctors
The second MOA establishes a Practice-Based Family Medicine Residency Training Program for doctors assigned to Cebu Province’s provincial and district hospitals.
Accredited by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians and implemented by Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center with oversight from the Department of Health Region VII, the program allows provincial doctors to undergo structured residency training while continuing hospital service.
The training includes lectures, supervised clinical work, case discussions, and regular evaluations.
Governor Baricuatro said the Province will maintain salaries and benefits for participating physicians while ensuring compliance with training standards. VSMMC will design and oversee the curriculum.
Dr. Catalan noted that the program is designed to strengthen primary care capacity, improve chronic disease management, and bring specialist-level primary care expertise closer to communities, particularly in rural and island municipalities.
A Long-Term Investment in Sustainable Health System Reform
With the signing of the two agreements, Cebu Province adopts a comprehensive human resource development strategy, producing future doctors through scholarship support while simultaneously elevating the expertise of those already serving in government hospitals.
“This is a long-term investment in health system sustainability,” Dr. Catalan emphasized.
“We are strengthening our pipeline of future physicians while upgrading the competencies of doctors already on the ground, ensuring that quality care is available across all levels of our provincial hospital network.”
The twin initiatives signal the Cebu Provincial Government’s commitment to institutionalizing durable solutions to physician shortages and improving service delivery across Cebu’s healthcare system.
