TAGUIG, Philippines (Aug 2026) – Remote island communities in Mindanao often have to travel across open water just to see a doctor, but getting access to healthcare and family planning tools is about to get much easier. The DKT Philippines Foundation, powered by TRUST, has officially launched the SODEX Floating Clinic to bring free reproductive health services directly to hard-to-reach coastal areas.
Bringing healthcare straight to coastal shores
Starting this September, the specialized vessel will travel across Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. The project was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to bridge the gap created by distance and difficult geography.
Onboard the boat, local residents can receive free consultations and professional counseling from healthcare providers. The clinic offers long-acting reversible contraceptives such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and two-rod implants, alongside temporary options including birth control pills, injectables, and condoms.
Why this matters for Pinoy families
Denise van Dijk, Board Chair of DKT Philippines Foundation and CEO of DKT Health, shared that the initiative focuses on removing everyday barriers so Pinoy families can choose the reproductive healthcare that suits them best. Instead of forcing island residents to travel long distances to reach land-based health centers, the SODEX Floating Clinic delivers essential services right to their coastlines.
Dr. Ahmad-Fawadz Israel, Technical Services Director II at MOH-BARMM, shared a message on behalf of Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., emphasizing how geographic isolation has long restricted medical access in the region. Bringing care straight to the communities ensures responsive healthcare without placing the burden of travel on patients.
Reaching every last mile
Department of Health representative Dr. Hardy Dumawing highlighted that family planning is a core component of Universal Health Care. Delivering medical services to remote areas helps improve community health outcomes while ensuring no island is left behind.
Since 1991, DKT Philippines Foundation has reinvested proceeds from TRUST product sales to fund free outreach programs for underserved communities. The SODEX Floating Clinic joins the organization’s existing mobile clinic and partner facilities to expand free reproductive healthcare across the Philippines.
