President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has raised the proposed budget for Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholarship programs to P8.67 billion next year to help produce more Filipino scientists, researchers and innovators.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to increase funding for the scholarship programs under the proposed 2027 national budget.
The proposed allocation is P360 million or 4.34 percent higher than this year’s budget.
Of the total, P7.55 billion will go to the DOST-Science Education Institute for undergraduate and graduate scholarships and specialized training, while P1.12 billion will fund the Philippine Science High School System.
Castro said the higher funding is expected to increase the number of DOST scholars nationwide to 67,504 from 65,097 this year.
“Sa pamamagitan nito, naipapakita ng Pangulo ang pagpapahalaga ng pamahalaan sa mahalagang papel ng Filipino Scientists, Researchers at Innovators sa research, innovation, policy-making, national competitiveness at pagresolba sa mga pangunahing hamon ng bansa,” Castro said.
She urged young Filipinos to take advantage of the scholarship opportunities and pursue STEM courses.
“Kaya sa ating mga kabataan inaanyayahan po kayo na mag apply for scholarship kailangan po kayo ng bayan at laging mag-aral, yan po ang nais ng Pangulo,” Castro added.IMT
