Manila, March 25 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the send-off of 290 physicians under the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program, underscoring the government's push to strengthen healthcare access in underserved communities.

Speaking at the Heroes Hall in Malacanan Palace, Marcos said the deployment of the 43rd batch under the program, comes at a critical time as residents of many rural and geographically isolated areas continue to face limited access to medical services.

"Access to healthcare in rural and geographically isolated areas remains heavily constrained by limited resources, by distance, and the absence of medical professionals," he said.

The latest batch marks the largest single deployment in the program...