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For families living in remote and island communities, getting healthcare can mean traveling long distances—and sometimes crossing the sea....
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DKT Philippines Foundation, a nonprofit organization powered by TRUST, launched the Philippines’ first family planning floating clinic on August 20, 2026, under its Service Outreach and Distribution Extension (SODEX) Program.
Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM), the initiative is designed to provide free family planning and reproductive health services to hard-to-reach communities in Mindanao.
The vessel, named Hiraya, was officially unveiled at BangkaPro, its builder, in Taguig City. DKT Philippines Foundation describes the floating clinic as an expansion of its existing efforts to bring reproductive healthcare to underserved Filipino communities.
Where Will the SODEX Floating Clinic Go?
Starting in September 2026, the floating clinic is expected to serve communities in:
Tawi-Tawi
Basilan
Lanao del Sur
Maguindanao del Norte
Maguindanao del Sur
These areas include communities where geography and distance can make regular access to healthcare facilities challenging.
Instead of requiring residents to make long trips to reach family planning services, the clinic brings healthcare professionals, information, and contraceptive options closer to them.
What Free Family Planning Services Will Be Available?
According to DKT Philippines Foundation, the SODEX Floating Clinic will provide several free family planning services, including:
Family planning consultations and counseling
Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Two-rod contraceptive implants
Contraceptive pills
Injectables
Condoms
Having different options available is particularly important in family planning because there isn't one method that is right for every person or family. Counseling can help clients learn about their choices and discuss which method may be appropriate for their individual circumstances with a qualified healthcare provider.
For moms and couples, access to this kind of information can also help make family planning a more informed and shared decision rather than something families have to navigate without professional guidance.
Bringing Healthcare Closer to Remote Families
Denise van Dijk, Chair of the Board of DKT Philippines Foundation, Inc. and President and CEO of DKT Health, Inc., said the project continues the organization's work of reducing barriers to family planning.
“For more than three decades, DKT Philippines Foundation has worked to remove barriers to family planning through innovation and strong partnerships,” van Dijk said.
She added that the SODEX Floating Clinic provides another way to give communities access to family planning products and services of their choice.
For communities in BARMM, one of those major barriers is geography.
Dr. Ahmad-Fawadz Israel, Director II for Technical Services, represented MOH-BARMM Minister Dr. Kadil “Jojo” M. Sinolinding Jr. during the launch.
In the Minister's message, Dr. Sinolinding emphasized that many communities in BARMM continue to experience difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and geography. The floating clinic allows services and family planning information to travel to communities rather than requiring residents to make long journeys to obtain care.
Family Planning and Universal Health Care
Dr. Hardy Dumawing, Program Manager for National Family Planning, also attended the launch on behalf of the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH emphasized family planning as an important health intervention and component of Universal Health Care in the Philippines.
Programs that can reach geographically isolated communities can help close some of the gaps that remain between families and essential healthcare services.
For parents, this is an important part of the conversation around family planning. Access isn't simply about whether a service exists. Families also need to be able to realistically reach that service, receive reliable information, talk to healthcare professionals, and understand the options available to them.
From a Mobile Clinic to a Floating Clinic
The floating clinic expands DKT Philippines Foundation's existing SODEX Program.
The Foundation previously launched the SODEX Mobile Clinic in May 2024, which brings free family planning services to underserved communities by land. The organization also provides services through partner healthcare facilities.
Hiraya takes that same concept to the water, allowing the program to reach island and coastal communities where a traditional mobile clinic may not be practical.
Since 1991, DKT Philippines Foundation has worked in family planning and reproductive health through public education, healthcare-provider training, advocacy, partnerships, and outreach to underserved populations.
The Foundation is powered by TRUST, whose social-enterprise model helps support free family planning services and outreach programs.
For Filipino families—especially those living far from major healthcare facilities—the SODEX Floating Clinic is a reminder that improving healthcare access sometimes requires services to meet communities where they actually are, even when that means reaching them by boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SODEX Floating Clinic?
The SODEX Floating Clinic, named Hiraya, is the Philippines' first floating clinic dedicated to providing free family planning services. It is an initiative of DKT Philippines Foundation under its Service Outreach and Distribution Extension (SODEX) Program and was developed in partnership with MOH-BARMM.
Are the family planning services on the floating clinic free?
Yes. According to DKT Philippines Foundation, the clinic provides free family planning services, including consultations and counseling, IUDs, two-rod implants, pills, injectables, and condoms.
Where will the family planning floating clinic operate?
Beginning in September 2026, it is expected to serve communities in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur.
Why does BARMM need a floating family planning clinic?
Some communities in BARMM face geographic and transportation barriers that make healthcare facilities difficult to reach. A floating clinic can bring healthcare professionals and reproductive health services closer to island, coastal, and other hard-to-reach communities.
Who operates the SODEX Floating Clinic?
The clinic is an initiative of DKT Philippines Foundation, powered by TRUST, in partnership with the Ministry of Health-BARMM.
Where can families learn more about family planning services?
Families can learn more about DKT Philippines Foundation's programs through the DKT Philippines Foundation website. For information about contraceptive methods, reproductive health, and locating clinics and services, visit TRUST Philippines.
This article is based on information provided by DKT Philippines Foundation. For questions about contraception or reproductive health, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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