department of health history mission vision roles and functions

1. History of DOH
23 June 1898 Creation of the Department of Public Works, Education &
Hygiene (now the Department of Public Works & Highways,
Department of Education Culture & Sports, and Department of
Health, respectively) through the Proclamation of President
Emilio Aguinaldo.
29 September 1898 Establishment of the Board of Health for the City of Manila under
General Orders No. 15.
1899 - 1905
Abolition of the Board of Health and appointment of Dr. Guy L.
Edie as the first Commissioner of Public Health.
Act. No. 157 of the
Philippine
Commission
creation of the Board of Health for the Philippine Islands; it also
acted as the Board of Health for the city of Manila
Acts Nos. 307, 308
and 309
Establishment of the Provincial and Municipal Boards of Health,
completing the health organization in accordance with the territorial
division of the Islands.
Act. No. 1407
also the
Reorganization Act
Abolition of the Board of Health and its functions and activities
were taken over by the Bureau of Health.
1906
Passage of Act No. 1487 of the Philippine Commission repealing
Act No. 307 wherein the provincial Board of Health gave way to
the Office of the District Health Officer
1912
Passage of Act. No. 2156, so- called "Fajardo Act", which
authorized the consolidation of municipalities into sanitary
division and established what is now known as the "Health Fund"
1915
Changing of the name of the Bureau of Health to the Philippine
Health Service, which was later on changed to its former name.
1932
Passage of Act No. 4007, also "the Reorganization Act of
1932", which created the Office of the Commissioner of
Health and Public Welfare, the Philippine General Hospital,
and the five examining boards (medical, pharmaceutical, dental,
optical and nursing).
01 January 1941
Creation of the Department of Health and Public Welfare as
provided for in Executive Order No. 317, series of 1941. The

2. Department was under the Secretary of Health and Public
Welfare and also included the Bureau of Quarantine; the health
department of chartered cities; the provincial, city and municipal
hospitals; dispensaries and clinics, the public markets and
slaughter houses; the health resorts; and all charitable and relief
agencies. However, the Philippine General Hospital was
detached from the Department and transferred to the Office of
the President of the Philippines.
1947
Reorganization of government offices under Executive Order No.
94, series of 1947 with the transfer of the Bureau of Public
Welfare to the Office of the President and the Department was
renamed Department of Health (DOH). Under this set-up were
the following:
1950
Under Executive Order No. 392, s. 1950, the Department of
Health gained additional functions brought about by the transfer
of the Institute of Nutrition, together with the Division of Biological
Research and the Division of Food Technology from the Institute
of Science, and the Public Schools Medical and Dental Services
from the Office of the President of the Philippines and the Bureau
of Public School respectively to the DOH. Within the Department
of Health, certain changes were also effected thru the transfer of
the Division of Health Education and Information from the Bureau
of Health to the Department proper, in exchange for which the
drug Inspection Division was transferred to the former office from
the latter; the conversion of the Section of Tuberculosis into a
Division of Tuberculosis, directly under the Office of the
Secretary, and the conversion of the Division of Laboratories into
an Office of Public Health Research Laboratory.
1958 The creation of eight regional health offices and two
Undersecretaries of Health: the Undersecretary of health and the
Medical Services and the Undersecretary of Special Services.
1971 The creation of the Food and Drug Administration, Bureau
of Disease Intelligence Center, Malaria Eradication Service,
Bureau of Dental Health Service, the National Comprehensive
Maternal and Child Health / Family Planning Program, National
Nutrition Program, and the National Schistosomiasis Control
Commission, among others.

3. 1972 Through Letter of Implementation No. 8, pursuant to
Presidential Decree No.1, Sept.24, 1972, the DOH was
renamed Ministry of Health. The National Cancer Center and
Radiation Health Service were created. The Ministry was divided
into 12 regions covering several provinces and cities under a
regional health director. Attached offices were the Philippine
Medical Care Commission, the Dangerous Drugs Board,
National Nutrition Council, Population Commission, National
Schistosomiasis Control Council and the Tondo General
Hospital.
1982
Under Executive Order No. 851, the Health Education and
Manpower Development Service was created, and the Bureau of
Food and Drugs assumed the functions of the Food and Drug
Administration.
1986
The Ministry of Health became Department of Health again.
1987 Another re-organization under Executive Order No. 119, which
placed under the Secretary of Health five offices headed by an
undersecretary and an assistant secretary. These offices are the
Chief of Staff, Public Health Services, Hospital and Facilities
Services, Standard and Regulations, and Management Service.
1992
Full implementation of Republic Act No. 7160 or Local
Government Code. The DOH changed its role from one of
implementation to one of governance. Significant change:
branching out of the Office of the Public Health Services to form
the Office for Special Concerns. Two big offices merged to
become the Office of Hospital Facilities, Standards and
Regulation. Special projects were highlighted like the NID.
National Micronutrient Campaign, Disaster Management, Urban
Health and Nutrition Project, Traditional Medicine, Doctors to the
Barrios Program, "Let’s DOH It"! became a national battle cry.
1999
The functions and operations of the DOH was directed to
become consistent with the provisions of Administrative Code
1987 and RA 7160 through Executive Order 102. The Health
Sector Reform Agenda of the Philippines, 1999-2004 was
launched. The reforms are: provide fiscal autonomy to

4. government hospitals; secure funding for priority health
programs; promote the development of local health systems and
ensure its effective performance; strengthen the capacities of
health regulatory agencies and expand coverage of the National
Health Insurance Programs. National Objectives for Health 1999-
2004 was launched. This states the Philippines objectives for the
eradication and control of infectious diseases commonly affecting
our people, major chronic illnesses and injuries that compromise
lives of the productive sector. It encourages promotion of healthy
lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors to prevent or control
certain debilitating illness and life-threatening diseases
2000
The year 2000 marked the institutionalization of the Health
Sector Reform Agenda (HSRA). The HSRA was endorsed for
approval and support by the National Government Agencies,
national and local stakeholders in health, and partners in the
international community. The HSRA has become the major
framework for policies and investments for the health sector.
2001
In July 13, 2001, Administrative Order 37 which contained the
guidelines on the operationalization of the HSRA implementation
plan was signed by Sec. Manuel Dayrit. It is also during this year
that the 13 convergence sites or the advance implementation
areas have been established.
2003
The One-Script Systems Improvement Program was established
(AO 50. S. 2003) to orchestrate unity, synchronicity and focused
targeting of priority public health programs that would provide the
biggest impact to attaining equity, efficiency, access and quality
health care in the country. A major breakthrough was achieved in
providing fiscal autonomy to 68 DOH retained hospitals with the
approval of a special provision of FY 2003 GAA which authorized
100% retention and the use of hospital income for upgrading of
health facilities and services.
2005
FOURmula ONE for Health (F1) was launched as the health
sectors blue print for the implementation of reforms to bring
about better health outcomes, more responsive health system
and more equitable healthcare financing. Province-wide
Investment Plans for Health were developed in 16 provinces as

5. the basis of F1 implementation in these sites
2006
The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission recognized and awarded
the DOH as the number one government agency in fighting
corruption. DOH also topped in the Pulse Asia 3rd Quarter
Survey as the number one government agency in terms of
overall performance.
VISION
 Filipinos are among the healthiest people in Southeast Asia by 2022, and Asia by
2040
MISSION
 To lead the country in the development of a productive, resilient, equitable and
people-centered health system

6. ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF DOH
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 102
REDIRECTING THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH
SEC. 2. Roles. To fulfill its responsibilities under this mandate, the DOH shall serve as
the:
a) lead agency in articulating national objectives for health to guide the
development of local health systems, programs and services;
b) direct service provider for specific programs that affect large segments of the
population, such as tuberculosis, malaria, schistosomiasis, HIV-AIDS and other
emerging infections, and micronutrient deficiencies;
c) lead agency in health emergency response services, including referral and
networking systems for trauma, injuries and catastrophic events;
d) technical authority in disease control and prevention;
e) lead agency in ensuring equity, access and quality of health care services
through policy formulation, standards development and regulations;
f) technical oversight agency in charge of monitoring and evaluating the
implementation of health programs, projects, research, training and services;
g) administrator of selected health facilities at sub-national levels that act as
referral centers for local health systems i.e. tertiary and special hospitals,
reference laboratories, training centers, centers for health promotion; centers for
disease control and prevention, regulatory offices among others;
h) innovator of new strategies for responding to emerging health needs;
i) advocate for health promotion and healthy life styles for the general population;
j) capacity-builder of local government units, the private sector, non-
governmental organizations, people’s organizations, national government
agencies in implementing health programs and services through technical
collaborations, logistical support, provision of grants and allocation and other
partnership mechanisms;
k) lead agency in health and medical research;
l) facilitator of the development of health industrial complex in partnership with
the private sector to ensure self-sufficiency in the production of biologicals,
vaccines and drugs and medicines;
m) lead agency in health emergency preparedness and response;

7. n) protector of standards of excellence in the training and education of health
care providers at all levels of the health care system; and
o) implementor of the National Health Insurance Law; providing administrative
and technical leadership in health care financing.
SEC. 3. Powers and Functions. To accomplish its mandate and roles the Department
shall:
a) Formulate national policies and standards for health;
b) Prevent and control leading causes of health and disability;
c) Develop disease surveillance and health information systems;
d) Maintain national health facilities and hospitals with modern and advanced
capabilities to support local services;
e) Promote health and well-being through public information and to provide the
public with timely and relevant information on health risks and hazards;
f) Develop and implement strategies to achieve appropriate expenditure patterns
in health as recommended by international agencies;
g) Development of sub-national centers and facilities for health promotion,
disease control and prevention, standards, regulations and technical assistance;
h) Promote and maintain international linkages for technical collaboration;
i) Create the environment for development of a health industrial complex;
j) Assume leadership in health in times of emergencies, calamities and disasters;
system fails;
k) Ensure quality of training and health human resource development at all levels
of the health care system;
l) Oversee financing of the health sector and ensure equity and accessibility to
health services; and
m) Articulate the national health research agenda and ensure the provision of
sufficient resources and logistics to attain excellence in evidenced-based
interventions for health.