PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) hopes to bring essential health services to every barangay and purok in the region through the full rollout of its “PuroKalusugan” (PK) program by 2028.
During the first episode of Kapihan sa Rehiyon Nueve, Dr. Augusto Manolo G. Alpichi, chief of DOH-9 Local Health Support Division, outlined the agency’s phased implementation plan, citing increasing local government support and encouraging early results.
“For 2026, ang target natin, 40% ng mga barangays at puroks sa Zamboanga Peninsula ay meron ng PK activities. By 2027, 70% (target) and by 2028, 100%,” said Dr. Alpichi.
(For 2026, our target is for 40% of the barangays and puroks in the Zamboanga Peninsula to have PuroKalusugan activities. By 2027, the target is 70%, and by 2028, 100%.)
The PK program offers grassroots access to basic medical services such as checkups, vaccinations, lab tests, and health screenings. As of writing, the latest data recorded 181 barangays and 240 puroks in the region have already benefitted from the program.
Alpichi emphasized that PK is not a one-time outreach activity but a regular, sustained effort embedded in the community health calendar which is a strategic move to bring healthcare closer to Filipinos especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
“Confident ang DOH, together with the local government units… masigasig po ang participation as well as support ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan,” he said.
(The DOH is confident, in partnership with the local government units, as the participation and support from our local governments have been highly proactive and committed.)
Alpichi noted that most municipalities already have lined-up PK activities, raising hopes of meeting the 2026 target ahead of schedule.
Anchored on the national goal of universal health care, the PuroKalusugan program demonstrates how inter-agency collaboration can help bridge the gap between government services and remote communities, one barangay at a time. (EDT/HTB/PIA9 Zamboanga del Sur)
