In partnership with BARMM Ministry of Health, the SODEX vessel brings free reproductive health services to remote island and coastal communities
DKT Philippines Foundation, a non-profit organization powered by TRUST, today launched the Philippines’ first dedicated family planning floating clinic under its Service Outreach and Distribution Extension (SODEX) Program. The official launch was held at vessel builder BangkaPro in Taguig City, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM). This landmark initiative is designed to overcome geographic barriers and deliver free, quality family planning and reproductive health services to hard-to-reach communities across the region.
Starting September 2026, the floating clinic will travel to underserved areas in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. Onboard services are fully free and include one-on-one consultations, counseling, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and two-rod implants, as well as temporary methods including oral contraceptives, injectables, and condoms.
“This initiative reflects our enduring promise: that quality reproductive healthcare belongs to every Filipino, no matter where they live,” said Denise van Dijk, Board Chair of DKT Philippines Foundation and President and CEO of DKT Health, Inc. “For over three decades, we have removed barriers to family planning through bold innovation and trusted partnerships. The SODEX Floating Clinic marks another major milestone—bringing choice and care directly to communities that need it most.”
The vessel expands DKT Philippines’ existing SODEX Program, which already delivers free services through partner health facilities and the country’s first family planning mobile clinic. Together, these efforts extend critical care to marginalized communities nationwide.
Representing MOH-BARMM Minister Dr. Kadil “Jojo” M. Sinolinding Jr. at the launch was Dr. Ahmad-Fawadz Israel, Director II for Technical Services. Delivering the Minister’s official message, he noted: “Geography remains one of the biggest obstacles to healthcare access in the Bangsamoro. For too long, families have had to travel great distances just to access basic reproductive services. The SODEX Floating Clinic turns this around—bringing information and care straight to their doorsteps. This meaningful public-private partnership strengthens our resolve to build a health system that truly serves all Bangsamoro communities.”
Also in attendance was Dr. Hardy Dumawing, National Family Planning Program Manager, representing the Department of Health (DOH). He affirmed family planning as a cornerstone of the country’s Universal Health Care reform, adding that such last-mile initiatives improve community health outcomes while advancing the Philippines’ Sustainable Development Goals.
DKT Philippines Foundation has championed family planning and reproductive health across the country since 1991, focusing on informed choice, equity, and sustainability. Powered by TRUST, the foundation reinvests proceeds from TRUST product sales to fund free outreach and services for vulnerable, remote, and underserved groups.
“Every community faces unique hurdles to healthcare—and our programs are built to meet those realities,” said Loida Almendares, Director of Programs at DKT Philippines Foundation. “We do not just deliver services; we keep working to make care more accessible, responsive, and lasting for the people we serve.”
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