June 30, 2019 — One hundred sixty Doctors to the Barrios (DTTBs) of the Department of Health (DOH) were welcomed as new students of the University during the opening ceremonies of the modular Master of Public Health program for DTTBs (MPH-DTTB) held on 6 May 2019 at the Manila Prince Hotel, Ermita, Manila.
The program was opened by a message from UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla delivered on her behalf by Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan where the UP Manila top official expressed hope for stronger linkages with the Department of Health and for more future collaborations.
This was followed by a speech from Dr Kenneth G. Ronquillo, Director IV of the DOH Health Human Resource and Development Bureau who noted that the program is a culmination of years of effort that was inspired by the founder of the DTTB, former DOH Secretary Dr Juan Flavier. He envisioned that the program would equip barrio doctors with skills to serve their communities that would merit a master’s degree.
Following a photo opportunity, University policies were explained by CPH College Secretary Dr. Vivien Fe Fadrilan-Camacho. She emphasized that the students of the program are, indeed, UP students and are, thus, bound by the standards and responsibilities of the university. This was echoed by CPH Associate Dean for Research Dr. Amiel Nazer Bermudez, concurrently the program chair for the Master of Public Health program, as he oriented the new students on the curriculum and program timeline.
Finally, CPH Dean Prof. Romeo Quizon delivered his closing remarks with the hope that the DTTB students, now scholars of the university, would maximize the opportunity of studying in UP. He also emphasized that UP Manila is their home, and that in times of difficulty, students should not hesitate to get in touch with their advisers and faculty. The event was capped with the singing of the UP Naming Mahal. Dr. Jaifred Christian F. Lopez, CPH faculty and an alumnus of the DTTB program, served as master of ceremonies. Lectures and activities in the first module, HPAD 201, were then given that afternoon.
Also attending the opening ceremonies were Vice-Chancellor for Administration Dr Arlene Samaniego, College of Medicine Dean Dr Charlotte Chiong, CAS Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr Ma. Constancia Carillo; National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences Director Arnold Hallare, University Registrar Dr. Tristan Nathaniel Ramos, Dr. Anthony Cordero of the UP Manila Community Health and Development Program, and the CPH Executive Committee, including the heads of the CPH academic departments.
Founded in 1992, the Doctors to the Barrios program is a two-year deployment program benefitting doctorless municipalities, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Implemented by the DOH-HHRDB, it is considered a launchpad for health system leaders in local government, as well as in the Department of Health, in clinical societies, and in the non-government sector.
The MPH-DTTB program was developed after months of planning and discussion between representatives of the DOH and UP Manila. The program faculty includes those affiliated with the CPH, CM, and CAS. The program will implement six modules of 18 days each, spread out within the two years of the DTTB deployment. It will also include field practice assessments similar to the regular MPH program, in which faculty will visit implementation sites.
