Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 102)
The DOH is mandated to provide assistance to local government units, people's organizations, and other civic society members in implementing programs that promote health and well-being, prevent and control diseases, protect against health hazards, and treat, manage, and rehabilitate individuals affected by diseases and disabilities.
The DOH's roles include acting as the lead agency in articulating national health objectives, providing direct services for specific programs, leading health emergency response, serving as technical authority in disease control, ensuring equity and quality in health care, technical oversight, administering selected health facilities, innovating health strategies, advocating health promotion, capacity-building, leading health research, facilitating health industrial complex development, preparing for health emergencies, protecting training standards for health providers, and implementing the National Health Insurance Law.
The President of the Philippines is empowered to direct such changes, as established under Section 78 of the General Provisions of RA 8522.
The DOH shall formulate national health policies and standards, prevent and control diseases, develop disease surveillance systems, maintain national health facilities, promote health through public information, manage health expenditure patterns, develop sub-national centers, maintain international linkages, develop health industrial complex, lead in health emergencies, ensure quality training and human resource development, oversee financing of health services, and articulate the national health research agenda.
The DOH must prepare an RSP outlining policy shifts, organizational structure changes, staffing adjustments, and resource allocation effects to improve efficiency and effectiveness, which must be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for approval.
Redeployment shall not result in diminution of rank or compensation and must comply with Civil Service laws and rules.
Funding will be taken from available DOH funds with the condition that expenses for personnel services must not exceed available funds.
They are entitled to benefits under existing laws or, if not covered, to separation benefits equal to one month's basic salary per year of service plus terminal benefits.
The Secretary can determine necessary agencies and facilities, pilot test programs, and pre-corporatize hospitals to ensure efficiency and effectiveness following the approved Rationalization and Streamlining Plan.
It took effect immediately upon signing on May 24, 1999.