The Municipality of Loon proudly welcomes Dr. JOSEPH S. ELARDE as the newly deployed Rural Health Physician under the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program of the Department of Health, further strengthening the delivery of quality healthcare services for the Loonanon community.
The deployment is part of the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, also known as the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, which mandates the establishment of the National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS) to support local public health systems in addressing their human resource needs. Through this initiative, the Department of Health continues to augment health personnel in local government units, particularly in communities serving marginalized, vulnerable, and geographically isolated populations.
On March 13, 2026, the Municipality of Loon, represented by Mayor Pedro M. Literatus, Jr., joined the Department of Health – Central Visayas in the Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held in Tagbilaran City. The ceremony was led by Dr. Joshua G. Brillantes, MD, MPH, CESO IV, Director IV of the Department of Health – Central Visayas Center for Health Development, signifying the strengthened partnership between the national government and the local government in improving access to quality and equitable healthcare services for Loonanons.
As part of this collaboration, the local government commits to providing administrative and technical support to the deployed physician, assisting in the development of local health systems, and ensuring the welfare and safety of the rural health doctor while serving in the municipality. The partnership also supports continuous professional development through trainings and aims to sustain healthcare delivery through possible integration of the deployed physician into the local health workforce.
The Municipality of Loon expresses its gratitude to the Department of Health and to Dr. Joshua G. Brillantes for the continued support in strengthening rural healthcare systems, and extends a warm welcome to Dr. JOSEPH S. ELARDE as he begins his service to the Loonanon community.
Together, this partnership reinforces the shared commitment to bringing accessible, quality, and people-centered healthcare closer to every Loonanon.