24/07/2026
Fourteen rural doctors deployed to serve in Bicolโs marginalized areas
Fourteen Rural Health Physicians (RHPs) under the Doctors to the Barrios Program (DTTB) were deployed yesterday, July 23, by the Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Deployment to enhance healthcare service accessibility of unserved and underserved communities in the Bicol Region.
They were formally introduced to their assigned local government units (LGUs) during a pre-deployment ceremony led by the DOH Bicol CHD Regional Director Dr. Voltaire S. Guadalupe and the Human Resource Development Unit.
To mark the official turnover, Local Chief Executives, municipal councilors on health, municipal health officers, and key LGU representatives were present to welcome their designated RHPsโreaffirming the LGUโs dedication in bolstering primary care service delivery in their locality.
Among the recipient LGUs are the municipalities of Talisay and Capalonga in Camarines Norte; Del Gallego, Ocampo, Pasacao, and Tinambac in Camarines Sur; Cataingan and San Pascual in the Island Province of Masbate; Barcelona, Gubat, Casiguran, Juban, and Magallanes in Sorsogon; and one for Albay which will be assigned in the Municipality of Rapu-Rapu.
In his message, Dr. Guadalupe highlighted that every intervention a healthcare worker makes is tantamount to improving local health systems and influencing the health-seeking behaviors across generations.
The DTTBs will be serving in their respective LGUs for two years where they will assist in the implementation of health programs, provide primary care services, and foster positive social behavior changeโultimately fulfilling the Universal Health Care agenda of ensuring equitable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all.
Furthermore, the DTTB Program is one of the Departmentโs frontline initiatives of addressing healthcare workforce shortages and drives the national governmentโs goal of attaining zero doctorless municipalities (DOH5/MJCLB).
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