Seven physicians under the Department of Health – Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program have been deployed to serve remote and underserved communities across Negros Island. The initiative aims to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and address the shortage of medical professionals in geographically isolated areas.
The doctors, belonging to DTTB Batch 43-A, took their oath before DOH-NIR Director Razel Nikka Hao at the agency’s regional office in Dumaguete City on February 23 before being officially endorsed to their respective local government unit (LGU) assignments.
New Medical Leaders Assigned Across Two Provinces
Two doctors were assigned to Negros Oriental. Dr. Jahlel Torino will serve La Libertad, while Dr. Fhoebe Madia will be deployed in Siaton.
In Negros Occidental, five physicians were assigned to different LGUs:
- Dr. Kristene Louise Reyes — Calatrava
- Dr. Marianne Louise Ruiz — Escalante City
- Dr. Ian Jesrie Tabayan — Kabankalan City
- Dr. Ariane Aristosa — San Enrique
- Dr. Trisha Marie Lotayco — Toboso
The deployed physicians are expected to provide medical leadership and help improve local health system management in areas that lack permanent doctors.
Supporting Universal Health Care Implementation
The deployment supports the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act by addressing health workforce gaps in remote communities. Through the Doctors to the Barrios Program, trained physicians are placed in underserved areas for three years to deliver primary healthcare services and help strengthen community-based health systems.
The program is part of the National Health Workforce Support System, which aims to ensure equitable access to healthcare services nationwide by sending committed, community-oriented doctors to far-flung barangays and municipalities.
