For all those who became a Doctor-to-the-barrio before, they know the meaning of this:
“Once a Doctor is in public health like DTTB program, he will always have a heart in public health.”
That is why many of the graduates of the program stayed in public health. But also a number of them went back to private practice but in their hearts I believe they want to serve the public back.
Like me, even if I am in a different world, finance and business, I never fail to love public health. So, I made a decision that someday I will be back. Currently, I am talking a path less traveled. I am specializing in Lactation medicine and be able to go back to the community.
The challenge to be in public health is a very daring path to consider.
Now, the challenge is up to you? Will you take the challenge?
Do you want to know the Benefits of a Doctor to the Barrio?
Here they are:
FINANCE
1. You will be given Plantilla item in DOH for 2 years with Salary grade 24 which is (Php 56,610.00).
There are talks that it will be Salary grade 25 for this coming batch but still unconfirmed. The Step 1 of the SG 25, is around Php 61,971 gross. Still subject to tax and other deductions.
2. Representation and Travel Allowance for Rural Health Physician (RATA).
3. All other benefits as provided for in the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, such as, but no limited to clothing, subsistence, laundry, hazard allowances and other bonuses.
You will be very lucky, during our time as a DTTB, hazard pay was taken out of our benefits.
DBM-DOH Joint Circular No. 1s 2016
4. Local Government Counterpart (honorarium, board and lodging). Monetary and/or non-monetary as determined by the LGUs.
This depends on how generous the LGU that you have been assigned to. So, pray, that you will be assigned to a friendly and generous LGU. If they are not too generous, make sure that at least you would be provided with your free board and lodging.
5. PhilHealth benefits/reimbursements if RHU (Rural Health Unit) assigned to is accredited.
If ever you will be assigned to an RHU that is not accredited, nobody is stopping you to have it accredited. That happened to me in my area of assignment. I was able to have our RHU accredited right before I finished my term. The doctors after me benefited from the PhilHealth reimbursements.
6. Automatic enrollment to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), life insurance and PhilHealth.
EDUCATION
1. FREE Masters Degree Education in Public Management major in Health Systems and Development at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), no less.
Twice a year, you will be pulled out of your area, and lets you attend the Masteral Classes especially made and customized to Doctors to the Barrios. If you finish it and passed it with your thesis, at the same time that of your graduation in DTTB program you will also earn your masters degree and get to add additional name in your MDs, like mine: PINKY DE LEON-INTAL, MD. MPM
I am proud to say that I am one of the first graduate of the said course.
2. Numerous of DOH trainings
Almost every month there is a training. You will get so many certificates in so many different trainings. Below are just few of them, I included the unforgettable trainings I have attended were:
- TB Dots Accreditation and Training – done in Coron, Palawan
- Practical Orthopedics by no less than the late “Dr. Jose Antonio Socrates” – I was glad and honored to have trained and learned under very kindhearted, self-less, and very generous doctor. (Puerto Princesa, Palawan)
- Leprosy History and Medical Evolution – (Culion, Palawan)
- Practical Psychiatry for the Community – Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- Autopsy and Medico-legal – NBI Director (Manila)
- Municipal Health Officers Summit – (Davao City)
3. Meeting, learning and immersing with some of the best and most inspiring people in the grassroots, and in the public health sector. Like the late father of DTTB, Senator Juan Flavier.
4. Unforgettable Learning Experiences
Removal of Pterygium (During our Ophtha Surgical Mission)
- Doing Successful Emergency Caesarian Section to a Mother (Note: I’m not an OB, just a recent Medical Board Passer then)
- Doing Autopsy to a 8-year-old murder victim (got to be a CSI for a moment there)
- Screening 300 patients that will undergo Cataract surgery
- Being the only doctor in a place with 14,000 population
- Doing the municipal health budget for the entire year
- Getting involve in the decision making of a local government and becoming a change agent of the community.
- Learn management skills, since I am the head of about 150 health government employees and contractual (under me are: nurses, dentists, sanitary officers, midwives, BHWs)
Those are just few experiences that I will never should have experienced if I was not a Doctor to the Barrio. Those moments even if they are nerve wracking, I will never forget and treasure in my heart.
5. #YOLO moments
- Discovering a hidden lagoon in one of my island barangays and jumping into it. That is why I always bring my snorkel gear wherever we go on barangay visit.
- Moments like: people apologizing to me because all they can offer are fresh fish, fresh shrimps, and fresh octopus for our lunch. They don’t even know how expensive those are in Manila.
- First time to ride a 2 seater unchartered plane.
- Getting interviewed for newspaper and my TV Debut.
- Beautiful sceneries anywhere.
- Lovely and beautiful people.
Many, many more than I can ever describe in one article. So, what are you waiting for? Apply now and be one of those who are called to serve our countrymen. It is a very unique, humbling experience that could change your entire life.
This article will never be enough in describing the whole experience and for all those you people who became instrumental in my journey, I would like to thank you all. I won’t mention all of you.
To all those who wanted the same experiences and more, apply now.
Department of Health is offering 50 slots until October 15, 2016. There are about 20 who already applied.
For those interested to join the Doctors-to-the-Barrio (DTTB) Program, the deadline for application is on October 15, 2016.
Go to the Health Human Resource Development Bureau (HHRDB) Office at DOH or in any Department of Health Regional Offices.
What are the application requirements for the DTTB program?
1. Application letter addressed to the Director of the Health Human Resource Development Bureau – Department of Health
Elvira SN. Dayrit, MD, MSc, MCH, CESO IV
Director IV
Health Human Resource Development Bureau
Bldg. No. 12-a San Lazaro Compound
Department of Health
Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Interested applicant shall address the application letter to the Director of the Regional Office in the concerned area if application shall be made in any of the Regional Offices (if they opt to submit it in regional offices).
2. Four (4) copies of Personal Data Sheet. Please see any of the link below:
- Guide to fill-out the Personal Data Sheet
- Personal Data Sheet (MS Excel format)
- Personal Data Sheet (PDF format)
3. Certified True Copy of Diploma
4. Certified True Copy of Transcript of Records
5. Authenticated PRC board rating and authenticated PRC license
6. Original copy of NBI Clearance
7. Certificate of Specialty Board / Fellow / Medical Specialty Exam (for positions requiring these documents)
8. Four (4) copies of duly notarized Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN), once accepted in the Program (once accepted in the program).
So, what are you all waiting for, adventures awaits you. The underserved communities are waiting for your service.
Dare to take the challenge?
Challenging you,
Read more:
- How to Build Doctor’s Retirement Fund?
- Who wants to be a Filipino doctor? FAQs on How to Apply and Be Accepted in Medical School
- Who Wants to be A Filipino Doctor? FAQs on Top 20 Philippines Medical Schools and Tuition Fees
- 6 Secrets of Becoming the RICH DOCTOR Your Friends and Family Think You Are
- Why are Most Filipino Doctors are not RICH?
Sources:
DOH-HRDDB
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Good evening doc!
Tanong ko lang po if you are allowed to go home on weekends if walang conference or seminar or training na pupuntahan? Also, for the masteral how do they conduct it? Parang UP open university?
Yes you are allowed pero usually its a far and remote place kaya malayo rin sa house mo. Masters sa DAP.
How many times per year do we go to DAP for lessons? Or do they just give us the material to study and appear 2x a year for major exams? Or is it online classroom? Thank you.
2x a year. About 2 weeks per pull out. 🙂
I’m just wondering what did you do for cases that you are not sure of the management? And yung emergency CS doc, did you have someone with you when doing that? Medyo scary kasi lalo na medyo ayaw ko talaga sa OB. 🙁 Also do they teach you how to make a health budget because unfortunately that wasnt taught in our school.
Sorry for all the questions doc. Interested po ako but i’m having second thoughts about how unprepared i am to lead an entire municipality
Well luckily, may naligaw na surgeon in the area during that emergency CS. So, I had some help. With health budget, your staff can help you with that since they are doing the health budgeting if there are no doctors around as MHO. But of course, I belive natural skills na sa doctors ang planning… You’ll get the hang of it. 🙂
And you can also get some help from fellow dttbs or MHO in the area near you. Don’t be afraid, you will not be alone.
Doc, if we apply at the regional office.. does it mean we will be assigned at the said region?
Depende if may opening sa region na yun.
Gud day. Ask ko po if available dttb sa josefina zamboanga del sur
You have to ask that sa DOH. But usually they don’t reveal the final list until they are sure.
Doc ask ko lang po, yung list areas na available is it unahan sa pagpili or you pick top 3 choice and then they’ll match you to one? Also sabak na ba agad or may orientation muna on the responsibilities of MHOs
What happened sa amin Before was, may list na. And then, they will consider first, sino malapit na nakatira sa list. Then, Pili na kami sa mga natira. Yes, may orientation naman muna before deployment. 🙂
Also doctora, will DOH shoulder the transpo (airfare) for the conferences?
Yes. All official travels will be shouldered by DOH or LGU.
Thank you doctora. I’m excited to try this one out. Hopefully, i can pass my requirements before the deadline 🙂
What are the usual career path of people who finish the DTTB program?
Thank you for answering all my questions.
Some go back to private practices, some Stayed in public health in DOH, some in WHO, some stays in the area… 🙂
Doc, hindi na ba kelangan ang NMAT?
You have to be licensed doctor when you apply to dttb program
Doc, how long does the 1st course with orientation last? Saan po? Ano pong dapat dalhin? Thank you po.
Tapos na ata application, they started the orientation na. I put the deadline of application in the article.
Dear doctor,
Very inspiring write up.
I am a registered nurse and planning to take my medicine degree with the help of doh scholarship program. As part of the terms of the scholarship, I will serve the poorest sector after finishing the degree thru the DTTB program.
I hope I cam reach you thru your mobile/email and discuss further the program, your experiences and some tips to start my medicine school.
Thank you.
Aries
Sure you can see my contact information in the Contact me page of this website.. 🙂
Hello po doc.good evening…after filling up the forms po,where will I pass them?sa DOH regional office po bah?thanks po. 🙂
Yes, pwede sa DOH regional office.
Thank you for this very helpful post, doc! I’m currently a post-grad intern and I plan on becoming a barrio doctor right after boards. I would also like to discuss the DTTB program and ask some questions via e-mail if you don’t mind.
Sure you can email me here: http://www.myfinancemd.com/contact-me/
Hi doc. Good day. I am currently a DTTB scholar. I recieved the scholarship just this year. Can i ask a help from you doc.
Always delay kasi yung allowances namin and by this time mag internship na kami and hindi pa nabigay lahat na allowance namin last sem and we badly need it as we start the internship.
Saan po kami maka connect para ma follow up and allowance namin ? Thank you po Doc.
Hi Doc, I was a DTTB scholar before but i was under First Gentleman Arroyo’s scholarship. I don’t know where to get your allowances since we have a different Benefactor. I guess you have to contact those people who gives your the scholarship. Sorry if I don’t know how to help you.
Your articles are very informative specially for me living abroad and trying to find my way back to serve my community/country. Been out of country for about 20 years after md licensure and on my fortys. Do you think I can still avail of this program?
Money is not my motivation. I just want to be back to serve my country. Thanks for your input.
Hi doc, congratulations for wanting to serve the country. You may apply as walk-in in the DOH as a doctor to the barrios if you like. But I don’t know when will be the next batch since they just completed the present batch. You can call DOH directly if you like. Thanks.
Hi. How true is it that they will decrease the salary grade to SG 21 for this coming batch 2017 for those with less than 2 years of experience? Sobrang baba na ng sweldo non, considerig these doctors would be assigned to remote areas.
Who is your source? I don’t think so. You can ask DOH about it. But from what I know, they are even increasing it
Someone from the HRRDB of DOH told me when I telephoned them to ask about eligibility. They said the civil service wants DTTBs to have 2 yrs of experience and the DOH bargained with decreased salary in order for new graduates to get hired. I was hoping may be you have some connections in the higher ups to confirm this. Thank you so much for the reply.
Oh, let’s see what I can do. I will try to ask. Will update you Liz.
Thank you so much Doc
Hi, i want to go on this path after i finish med school and pass the board exam, am on my 3rd yr. Do you know if this can be counted as practice based training for family medicine? Thanks.
No, it’s not. Although you’ll get a masters degree if you pass it the same time you are in service.
Hi doc..tumatanggap pa rin po b ngaun for doctors to the barrio po?..i live in ilocos norte po..
Yes, call DOH.
Hi, doc! 🙂 I just wanna ask if mag-isa ka lang bang DTTB sa isang area or may kasama kang fellow DTTB? Or meron bang other doctors na kasama ka or alone lang po talaga? 🙂
Usually ikaw lang mag isa. But you have the entire community to help you out. Other doctors are in different assignments.
[…] Study in an SUCThere are government schools or what we call State Universities and Colleges offering Doctor of Medicine Program here in the Philippines with FREE TUITION FEE. Yes, free matriculation for medical school. Excited already? An example is the West Visayas State University-College of Medicine in Ilo-ilo, you can read my blog about it here.However, you need to know the terms incorporated with this. Some schools ask for a return service (but why not? SERVE THE PEOPLE!) for several years after passing the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE). SUCs also offer Doctors to the Barrio Program (DTTBP) as a form of scholarship, too. This program is with stipend, clothing allowance, book allowance, transportation allowance, and many more! Good reads about the program are the following: a. http://doctorstothebarrios.com/about/ b. https://opinion.inquirer.net/109110/doctors-to-the-barrios-2 c. http://www.myfinancemd.com/wants-doctor-barrio/ […]
Good day doctor. Im still in the phase of making a decision. Im a father of 1 and I really am into earning money now. Doc this may sound unprofessional but id like to ask, with all the benefits in the magna carta plus whatever benefit you get outside that, how much can you earn per month? Thanks in advance.
I don’t know their rates this time. I think around 50K+++
I don’t know exact details right now, but they say, around 60K. But please do ask doh to confirm.