In a significant move to enhance healthcare in rural areas, the Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) has dispatched 14 doctors to various remote locations across the region. This initiative falls under the Doctors to the Barrio (DTTB) program, aimed at improving medical services in underserved areas. The deployment was marked by a ceremony attended by the new doctors and DOH-5 officials on February 17, 2025.
Dr. Rosa Maria Rempillo, Assistant Regional Director of DOH-5, emphasized that these doctors will not only provide medical care but also engage in health education, focusing on early disease detection and prevention. The doctors are also tasked with supporting community development initiatives, which are crucial for establishing a robust healthcare system and easing the load on higher-level healthcare facilities.
The deployment is part of a broader strategy to bolster the healthcare workforce in Bicol’s rural and hard-to-reach areas. Dr. Rempillo highlighted the importance of a community-based healthcare approach to address the unique health needs of these communities. Currently, over 50 DTTBs are actively serving the region, demonstrating DOH-5’s commitment to sustaining health programs for the Bicolanos.
The towns benefiting from this deployment include Guinobatan and Malinao in Albay, Vinzons in Camarines Norte, Iriga City, Lagonoy, Libmanan, San Jose, and Tigaon in Camarines Sur, Virac in Catanduanes, and Baleno, Balud, Palanas, Cawayan, and Mandaon in Masbate. The DTTB program, established in 1993, continues to play a vital role in bridging the healthcare gap in rural Philippines.
During the recent ceremony, local mayors and their representatives formalized their ongoing collaboration with DOH-5 through a memorandum of agreement, reinforcing their commitment to enhancing health services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.