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Pisay new scholars 2026 were officially announced as the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Science High School System (DOST-PSHS) revealed qualifiers and outlined plans to expand its campuses to two per region nationwide.

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Science High School (DOST-PSHS), commonly known as Pisay, released the names of the qualifiers for the National Competitive Examination (NCE) 2025, Philippine Information Agency Building, Quezon City, March 30.

Out of 27,965 applicants across the country, PSHS named 1,738 principal qualifiers for the School Year (SY) 2026-2027, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. announced in a press conference.

“The National Competitive Examination is not simply an entrance test to Pisay. [It] is a deliberate investment in the future of our nation. We identify and nurture young individuals who will one day help solve some of the country’s most pressing challenges,” the secretary said.

He also shared that PSHS will be accommodating a total of 1,920 slots, composed of 120 new students for each of the 16 campuses within its system this SY.

Hence, Pisay advised the principal qualifiers to confirm their slots until April 24 and May 4 for the main and regional campuses, respectively, or alternate qualifiers to fill the remaining slots after.

PSHS Executive Director Ronalee Orteza, on the other hand, reported that among this SY’s applicants, 78.06 percent were from public schools, whereas 21.94 percent were from private schools, composed of 58.71 percent female and 41.29 percent male.

For the distribution of the principal qualifiers, those from public schools retained as the major portion, with 58.80 percent and 41.20 percent were from the private schools, with a 4:6 ratio of female and male.

Moreover, Ed Herpert D. Briones, chief administrative officer for the PSHS system, said the national mean of the recent NCE posted 84.50 percent, comparable to the exams during the pre-pandemic years.

Those principal qualifiers scored above the national mean, and were ranked based on their scores on four sections, namely: mathematics, science, verbal ability, and abstract reasoning.

“Kailangang pumasa ng bata doon sa cut-off na iyon. We do not want a kid [that is] only good in science, math, or abstract reasoning. We want someone who is [holistically knowledgeable] para kaya iyong curriculum namin,” the PSHS director said.

The National Capital Region (NCR), having 43.47 percent, tallied as the region with the highest percentage of applicants who scored above the national mean, followed by Region IV-A CALABARZON and III with rates of 39.44 and 37.23, respectively.

Moreover, Solidum emphasized quality education as the main benefit for a Pisay full-scholar who shall take an extensive curriculum different from that of the other institutions, which includes integrated science, arts drafting, engineering, and technology subjects.

Pisay scholars are also set to receive stipends as high as P8,000, categorized based on family income and in-partial systems, along with free loan of textbooks, uniform and one-way transportation allowances, and P60-worth of dormitory accommodation.

“They will have the opportunity to participate in national and international competitions. They will also have the immersive training experience during science immersion program and other opportunities,” Dir. Orteza added.

DOST also announced that they will be starting to accept NCE 2026 application for the SY 2027-2028 on April 6 until November 7, with the examination proper slated on January 30, 2027.

Meanwhile, PSHS also laid out plans on its augmentation in the number of slots and campuses in its system in the future along with its budgetary need for it to be pushed through.

In lieu of the Republic Act (RA) 12310, or the Expanded PSHS System Act, an additional 10 campuses are set to be established across the country with at least two campuses eyed for each region.

“Depende na ‘yan kung saan pinakamaraming pumapasa at kulang ang slot. Titingnan natin ‘yung performance [ng applicants at qualifiers]. May mga pag-aaral na gagawin, ang PSHS system [tungkol dito],” Sec. Solidum explained.

Based on the budget for the Negros Island PSHS campus, which is set to be opened next year, a single campus infrastructure costs P300 million alone but estimated to reach a P1-billion budget in total for its teaching and non-teaching positions, operating expenses, and other allocations.

“Ngayon po ay gumagawa kami ng standards [upang] maka-aabot po sa mahigit na P1 billion ang isang campus sa pagpapatayo. Kaya kailangan pong tingnan natin kung gaano kalaki talaga yung i-invest ng gobyerno para ma-achieve din po natin ‘yung pangarap ng EDCOM II (Second Congressional Commission on Education) [to increase campuses and slots by 2035],” Dir. Orteza said.

Meanwhile, PSHS also announced that they will start accepting NCE 2026 applications for the SY 2027-2028 on April 6 until November 7, with the examination proper slated on January 30, 2027.

“Maganda po ang hinaharap ng aming mga Pisay graduates. Ito ang pinakamagandang secondary science education sa ating bansa. Kaya po malaki po ang maaaring maibigay sa ating lahat ng mga estudyanteng makakapasok,” Undersecretary Maridon O. Sahagun, a PSHS alumna, shared.

The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) is one of the attached agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All.