Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 119)
The Ministry of Health is primarily responsible for the formulation, planning, implementation, and coordination of policies and programs in the field of health; its primary function is the promotion, protection, preservation, or restoration of the health of the people through the provision and delivery of health services and regulation and encouragement of providers of health goods and services.
The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Ministry and for the discharge of its powers and functions are vested in the Minister of Health, who shall have supervision and control of the Ministry and shall be appointed by the President.
Some key powers and functions include defining national health policy, providing health programs subject to funds availability, coordinating with local and international groups, administering health laws including quarantine and food and drug safety laws, collecting and disseminating health information, propagating health education, conducting health research and training, regulating health service providers, and issuing orders concerning health policies.
The Ministry is organized into the Ministry Proper, National Health Facilities, Regional Offices, Provincial Health Offices, District Health Offices, and Local Health Agencies.
The Ministry Proper includes the Office of the Minister, Office for Public Health Services, Office for Hospital and Facilities Services, Office for Standards and Regulations, Office for Ministry Management Services, and the Executive Committee for National Field Operations.
Deputy Ministers assist the Minister by advising on orders, supervising offices and individuals under their authority, recommending rules, coordinating activities among units, exercising delegated authority, and performing other functions assigned by the Minister or law.
This Office formulates policies and programs related to disease control and health service delivery, supervising services like Maternal and Child Health, Tuberculosis Control, Family Planning, Environmental Health, Nutrition, Dental Health, Malaria Control, Schistosomiasis Control, Communicable Diseases Control, and Non-communicable Diseases Control.
Certain bureaus and services such as the Bureau of Health Services and Bureau of Medical Services are abolished with their functions transferred to relevant offices. Some research centers are converted into departments in medical centers. Various services are reorganized or converted to better align functions and avoid duplication.
The Minister can delegate substantive and administrative powers to Regional Health Offices or other subordinate units as needed for efficient administration, prescribe changes in regional, provincial, and district health units, relocate provincial health offices, and designate hospitals and health districts, subject to budget approval.
Personnel in abolished or transferred units continue in hold-over capacity until separated or reappointed; appropriations, funds, records, equipment, and liabilities are transferred as needed; merged units assume functions and assets; separated personnel are entitled to retirement or separation benefits as stipulated; and no court or administrative injunction may enjoin separation or replacement under this order.
The Ministry will be renamed the Department of Health, the Minister will be called Secretary, the Deputy Ministers will be Undersecretaries, and the Assistant Ministers will be Assistant Secretaries.
The Ministry shall review, monitor, and propose integration of locally funded health agencies under its supervision, potentially allowing national funding to integrate health services for a national health system under the Ministry.