DOH 1ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

DOH PROFILE

1 http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/2899

The Department of Health (DOH) holds the over-all technical authority on health as it is a national health
policy-maker and regulatory institution.
Basically, the DOH has three major roles in the health sector: (1) leadership in health; (2) enabler and
capacity builder; and (3) administrator of specific services. Its mandate is to develop national plans, technical
standards, and guidelines on health. Aside from being the regulator of all health services and products, the
DOH is the provider of special tertiary health care services and technical assistance to health providers and
stakeholders.
While pursuing its vision, the DOH adheres to the highest values of work, which are:
Integrity The Department believes in upholding truth and pursuing honesty, accountability, and
consistency in performing its functions.
Excellence The DOH continuously strive for the best by fostering innovation, effectiveness and
efficiency, pro-action, dynamism, and openness to change.
Compassion and respect for human dignity Whilst DOH upholds the quality of life, respect for
human dignity is encouraged by working with sympathy and benevolence for the people in need.
Commitment With all our hearts and minds, the Department commits to achieve its vision for the
health and development of future generations.
Professionalism The DOH performs its functions in accordance with the highest ethical standards,
principles of accountability, and full responsibility.
Teamwork The DOH employees work together with a result-oriented mindset.
Stewardship of the health of the people Being stewards of health for the people, the
Department shall pursue sustainable development and care for the environment since it impinges on the
health of the Filipinos.
Together with its attached agencies, the DOH constituted of various central bureaus and services in the
Central Office, Centers for Health Development (CHD) in every region, and DOH-retained hospitals performs
its roles to continuously improve the countrys health care system.
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i http://www.doh.gov.ph/profile
Mission and Vision

VISION BY 2030
A global leader for attaining better health outcomes, competitive and responsive health care
system, and equitable health financing.
MISSION
To guarantee equitable, sustainable and quality health for all Filipinos, especially the poor, and to
lead the quest for excellence in health.
http://www.doh.gov.ph/mission-vision
Milestones

DOH THROUGH THE YEARS

Before 1898
During the pre-Spanish period, traditional ways of healing (i.e., herbs and rituals) were widely
used. Public health services in the Philippines began in 1577 when a Franciscan friar, Fr. Juan
Clemente, established a dispensary for Manila indigents. In 1659, the dispensary became the San
Juan de Dios Hospital.
The Spaniards instituted a hospital system with 13 hospitals and intensified public health work
with the creation of the Central Board of Vaccination and a Board of Health and Charity. Before the
Americans came to the Philippines, there were already Medicos Titulares, which corresponds to
todays provincial health workers.
1898
On June 23, 1898, the Department of Public Works, Education and Hygiene (currently known as
Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, and Department of Health,
respectively) was formally proclaimed by President Emilio Aguinaldo.
Aguinaldos proclamation was not continued for they lost to the Americans. Through General Order
No. 15, the Americans created a Board of Health for the City of Manila on September 29, 1898. Dr.
T.H. Pardo de Tavera and Dr. Aristone Bautista Lim, together with three American surgeons,
comprised the provisional board. Being that General Order No. 15 is American in nature, it aimed
to protect the health of the American troops. Nevertheless, this American order started the
institutional development of the current Department of Health (DOH).
1899
On August 26, 1899, the Board of Health was abolished while Dr. Guy Edie was appointed as the
first Commissioner of Health. Registration of births, deaths, and marriages began during this time.
1901
The Philippine Commission created the Board of Health for the Philippine Islands, which served as
the local health board, through Act No. 157 dated July 1, 1901. It became the Insular Board of

Health when the provincial health boards and municipal health boards were created on December
2, 1901 through Act No. 307 and Act No. 308, respectively.
1905
With Act No. 1407, the Insular Board of Health and its functions were abolished and replaced by
the Bureau of Health, being under the Department of Interior. Dr. Victor Heiser was the first
Director of the Bureau of Health.
1906
Repealing Act No. 307, Philippine Commission Act No. 1487 ordered that the provincial boards of
health be replaced with district health officers.
1912
Act No. 2156 of 1912, also referred to as Fajardo Act, consolidated municipalities into sanitary
divisions and instigated todays Health Fund.
1915
In 1915, the Bureau of Health was renamed into Philippine Health Service, and later reverted back
to its previous name. Dr. Vicente de Jesuswas the first Filipino Director of Health.
1932
The Reorganization Act of 1932or Act No. 4007 created the Office of the Commissioner of Health
and Public Welfare with Dr. Basilio J. Valdez as its first Commissioner.
1941
On January 7, 1941, the Executive Order No. 317 formalized the Department of Public Health and
Welfare with Dr. Jose Fabella as its first Department Secretary. The Department included the
following: Bureau of Quarantine; health department of chartered cities; provincial, city, and
municipal hospitals; dispensaries and clinics; public markets and slaughter houses; health resorts;
and all charitable agencies.
1947
In October 1947, Executive Order No. 94 regulated reorganization in the Department of Public
Health and Welfare. The Bureau of Public Welfare and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) were
transferred under the Office of the President of the Philippines. From then on, the Department was
called Department of Health (DOH). Under DOH were Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Health,
Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Hospitals, and all City Health Departments.
1950
Just three years after, the second reorganization of the Department was implemented through
Executive Order No. 392. The Institute of Nutrition, Division of Biological Research, and Division of
Food Technology were transferred from the Institute of Science to DOH. The Medical and Dental
Services unit under the Bureau of Public Schools was transferred as the Division of School Medical
and Dental Services under the Bureau of Health. There were also changes within the Department,
namely: integration of the National Chest Center and TB section into a Tuberculosis Division;
conversion of the Division of Laboratories into an Office of Public Health Research Laboratory; and
conversion of the leprosy control section into a Division of Sanitaria under the Bureau of Hospitals.
1958
After a threat from the US Operations Mission to the Philippines, the most sweeping
reorganization was implemented. Two Undersecretaries of Health the Undersecretary of Health
and the Medical Services, and the Undersecretary of Special Services were created. Eight
regional health offices were formed as the health services were decentralized to the regional,
provincial, and municipal levels.
1969

Republic Act No. 6111, or the so-called Philippine Medical Care Act of 1969,authorized
hospitalization, surgical, and medical expense benefits for the people.
1970
In 1970, health services were classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels through the
Restructured Health Care Delivery System.
1972
At the onset of Martial Law, DOH was renamed to Ministry of Health and the regional offices
increased from eight to twelve. The first Minister of Health was Dr. Clemente Gatmaitan.
1982
Under the Executive Order No. 851, the Integrated Provincial Health Office was created to
reorganize the Ministry of Health. The Health Education and Manpower Development Service was
also created.
1986-1987
The Ministry of Health regained its former name (Department of Health) with the Executive Order
No. 119. Also, five (5) offices, headed by an undersecretary and an assistant secretary, were
placed under the Secretary of Health. These offices are the Chief of Staff, Public Health Services,
Hospital and Facilities Services, Standard and Regulations, and Management Service. Three
regions (i.e., NCR, CAR, and ARMM) were added to the 12 regional health offices. A National Health
Facilities, consisting of seven (7) special research centers and hospitals and eight (8) medical
centers, was also created.
1991-1993
The Republic Act 7160 or Local Government Code of 1991 was fully implemented. The Office for
Special Concerns was formed from the branching out of the Office of Public Health Services. The
Office of Hospital Facilities, Standards and Regulation was created from the merging of two big
offices.
Health projects were intensified. Among these projects are National Micronutrient Campaign,
Disaster Management, Urban Health and Nutrition Project, Traditional Medicine, Doctors to the
Barrios Program, and "Lets DOH It"!
1999
Through the Executive Order 102, the functions and operations of DOH were to be aligned with the
provisions of Administrative Code 1987 and RA 7160. This year, the Health Sector Reform Agenda
of the Philippines 1999-2004 was launched. Reforms include: fiscal autonomy to government
hospitals; funding for priority health programs; promoting the development of local health systems
and assurance of effective performance; strengthening of capacities of health regulatory agencies
and expanding coverage of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
The National Objectives for Health 1999-2004, which indicates the Philippines objectives to
eradicate and control infectious diseases, major chronic illnesses and injuries, was also launched.
This encourages healthy lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors towards the prevention of
diseases.
2000
The Health Sector Reform Agenda (HSRA), being the major framework for health policies and
investments, was institutionalized this year. The National Government Agencies, together with the
national and local health stakeholders, and international partners, endorsed the HSRA for approval.
2001
In July 13, 2001, Sec. Manuel Dayrit signed the Administrative Order 37, stating the guidelines on
the HSRA implementation plan. Thirteen convergence sites or advance implementation areas were
established in this year.

2003
Through Administrative Order 50, the One-Script Systems Improvement Program was established
to unify, synchronize, and target priority public health programs.
Sixty-eight DOH-retained hospitals were provided with fiscal autonomy, allowing 100% retention
and use of hospital income to improve health facilities.
2005
FOURmula ONE for Health(F1) was launched as a blueprint of reform implementation aiming for a
more responsive health system, more equitable health financing, and better health outcomes.
Within the medium term 2005-2010, F1 was devised to address the issues on fragmentation of the
Philippine health system and inequity in health care. Also, F1 intended to achieve speedy, precise,
and well-coordinated critical reforms to improve the health system of the country.
2006
This year, the DOH received both national and international recognitions from the Presidential AntiGraft Commission (PAGC) and Guinness World Records Limited, respectively. The PAGC awarded
DOH as the number one agency to fight corruption. In May of this year, DOH set a new Guinness
World Record for the Most Number of Woman Breastfeeding Simultaneously. In terms of national
studies and surveys, DOH also ranked first among the government agencies according to the Pulse
Asia 3rd Quarter Survey.
2007
Four Administrative Orders AO 2007-0021, Harmonization and Streamlining of the Licensure
System for Hospitals; AO 2007-0022, Violations Under the OSS Licensure System for Hospitals; AO
2007-0023, Schedule of Fees for the OSS Licensure System for Hospitals; and AO 2007-0024,
Guidelines for the Licensure of DOH Hospitals were issued to support the establishment of the
OSS Licensure System for Hospitals.
The Technical Assistance Coordination Team (TACT) was created through the DPO 2007-2964 to
harmonize the technical assistance provided to the DOH. TACT, with its creative mechanisms,
ensures that technical assistance efforts are suited to the needs of various offices.
The Sector-wide Development Approach for Health (SDAH) was operationalized on November 15,
2007 through Administrative Order 2007-0038. SDAH was adopted in the implementation of F1 for
Health to gain the development partners support in the race to unify the health sector.
2008
The Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health and Nutrition Strategy (MNCHN) was pursued to address
maternal and neonatal mortality. Republic Act No. 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and
Quality Medicines Act of 2008 made quality medicines more accessible to every Filipino.
2010
With the appointment of Dr. Enrique T. Ona as the new Health Secretary came a new platform on
health the Universal Health Care (UHC). This reform agenda aims to make essential health
services, necessities, and quality health care available and accessible to all Filipinos. PhilHealth
Sabado, as one of the initiatives to achieving UHC, was launched on October 2 of this year.
http://www.doh.gov.ph/milestones

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