DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. speaks before the media, announcing the qualifiers for the 2025 National Competitive Examination (NCE) of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) in a press conference, Philippine Information Agency Building, Quezon City, March 30. (Photo by Xyrus Ivan De Gracia, DOST-STII)
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 on March 30.
Out of 27,965 applicants across the country, PSHS named 1,738 principal qualifiers for 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,” Solidum 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.
Principal qualifiers are advised to confirm their slots until April 24 and May 4 for the main and regional campuses, respectively. Alternate qualifiers shall fill the remaining slots after.
Pisay NCE takers: What the statistics reveal
PSHS Executive Director Ronalee Orteza reported that among this SY’s applicants, 78.06% were from public schools, whereas 21.94% were from private schools. 58.71% were female, and 41.29% were male. Applicants from public school comprised the majority of principal qualifiers (58.80%), while 41.20% were from private schools, with a 2:3 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%, comparable to the exams during the pre-pandemic years. Those principal qualifiers scored above the national mean, and were ranked based on their scores in four sections: 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) had the highest percentage of applicants who scored above the national mean (43.47%), followed by Regions IV-A (CALABARZON) and III, with 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, along with free loans for textbooks, allowances for uniforms and one-way transportation, and financial assistance for dormitory accommodation.
“They will have the opportunity to participate in national and international competitions. They will also have the immersive training experience during [the] science immersion program and other opportunities,” Dir. Orteza added.
DOST also announced that they will accept NCE 2026 applications for SY 2027-2028 from April 6 to November 7, 2026, with the examination proper slated for January 30, 2027.
Pisay expansion plans: 10 additional campuses nationwide, 2 campuses per region
PSHS also laid out plans for augmenting the number of slots and campuses in its system, along with the necessary budget for it to push 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, infrastructure for a single campus costs P300 million. Factoring in the required funding for teaching and non-teaching positions, operating expenses, and other allocations, each new campus is estimated to require a total budget of P1 billion.
“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 from April 6 until November 7, with the examination proper slated for 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.
To access the full list of the NCE 2025 principal qualifiers, visit url.pshs.edu.ph/nce2026results.—Karl Jerome M. del Mundo (Press release via DOST-STII)/MF
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. For more information, visit www.pshs.edu.ph and www.dost.gov.ph.
