Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 851)
The primary function of the Ministry of Health is the promotion, protection, and preservation of the health of the people through efficient, effective, encompassing, equitable, and adequate health services.
The authority and responsibility are vested in the Minister of Health, who may be assisted by Deputy Ministers appointed by the President.
The Ministry proper is composed of the Office of the Minister, Planning Service, Financial and Management Service, Administrative Service, Health Intelligence Service, and Health Education and Manpower Development Service.
The Bureau of Food and Drugs was created to replace the Food and Drug Administration. Besides assuming FDA functions, it has the authority to prescribe standards regarding the veracity of nutritional and medicinal claims in advertisements, monitor such advertisements, and order manufacturers or advertisers to desist from misleading claims, with penalties for non-compliance.
Regional Health Offices, headed by Regional Directors, are responsible for field operations of the Ministry in the region using a Primary Health Care approach. They supervise Regional Hospitals, medical centers, and provincial health offices in their regions.
Provincial Health Offices and Provincial Hospitals were merged into an integrated Provincial Health Office responsible for promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health care delivery within the province, under supervision of the Regional Director.
The Minister of Health appoints provincial and city health officers, and such assignments require consultation with the concerned provincial governor or city mayor. Their compensation is paid from national funds.
The Minister of Health may delegate substantive and administrative powers to heads of Regional and Provincial Health Offices to promote more efficient and effective health service administration.
The Minister is authorized to phase out nursing schools operated by the Ministry within two years.
All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules, or regulations inconsistent with the Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly.