EO on DOH Functions and Operations Redirection

Legal basis and empowering provisions

The order is justified under Section 20, Chapter 7, Title I, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), which empowers the President to exercise powers vested in him under law.
The order is also anchored on Section 78 of the General Provisions of RA 8522 (General Appropriations Act of 1998), which empowers the President to direct changes in organization and key positions in departments, bureaus, and agencies.
The order further relies on Section 80 of the same General Provisions, which directs department heads to scale down, phase out, or abolish activities no longer essential in delivering health services.
Consistent with Administrative Code of 1987 and RA 7160 (Local Government Code), the DOH is directed to provide assistance to LGUs and civil society stakeholders.

DOH mandate and assistance functions

The DOH is mandated to provide assistance to local government units (LGUs), people’s organizations (POs), and other members of civic society to effectively implement programs, projects, and services that:
- promote the health and well-being of every Filipino;
- prevent and control diseases among populations at risk;
- protect individuals, families, and communities exposed to hazards and risks that could affect health; and
- treat, manage, and rehabilitate individuals affected by disease and disability.
The DOH mandate and operations are implemented consistent with the DOH’s transformed role after devolution of basic services to LGUs.

DOH roles and responsibilities

The DOH is designated as the lead agency in articulating national objectives for health to guide development of local health systems, programs, and services.
The DOH is designated as the direct service provider for specific programs affecting large segments of the population, including tuberculosis, malaria, schistosomiasis, HIV-AIDS, and other emerging infections, and micronutrient deficiencies.
The DOH is designated as the lead agency in health emergency response services, including referral and networking systems for trauma, injuries, and catastrophic events.
The DOH is designated as the technical authority in disease control and prevention.
The DOH is designated as the lead agency ensuring equity, access, and quality of health care through policy formulation, standards development, and regulations.
The DOH is designated as a technical oversight agency responsible for monitoring and evaluating implementation of health programs, projects, research, training, and services.
The DOH is designated as an administrator of selected health facilities at sub-national levels that act as referral centers for local health systems, including tertiary and special hospitals, reference laboratories, training centers, centers for health promotion, centers for disease control and prevention, and regulatory offices, among others.
The DOH is designated to act as an innovator of new strategies for responding to emerging health needs.
The DOH is designated to advocate for health promotion and healthy lifestyles for the general population.
The DOH is designated as a capacity-builder of LGUs, the private sector, NGOs, POs, and national government agencies through technical collaborations, logistical support, provision of grants, and allocation and other partnership mechanisms.
The DOH is designated as the lead agency in health and medical research.
The DOH is designated as a facilitator of the development of a health industrial complex in partnership with the private sector to ensure self-sufficiency in the production of biologicals, vaccines and drugs and medicines.
The DOH is designated as the lead agency in health emergency preparedness and response.
The DOH is designated as the protector of standards of excellence in training and education of health care providers at all levels of the health care system.
The DOH is designated to implement the National Health Insurance Law by providing administrative and technical leadership in health care financing.

DOH powers and operational functions

The DOH must formulate national policies and standards for health.
The DOH must prevent and control leading causes of health and disability.
The DOH must develop disease surveillance and health information systems.
The DOH must maintain national health facilities and hospitals with modern and advanced capabilities to support local services.
The DOH must promote health and well-being through public information and provide timely and relevant information on health risks and hazards.
The DOH must develop and implement strategies to achieve appropriate expenditure patterns in health as recommended by international agencies.
The DOH must support development of sub-national centers and facilities for health promotion, disease control and prevention, standards, regulations, and technical assistance.
The DOH must promote and maintain international linkages for technical collaboration.
The DOH must create the environment for development of a health industrial complex.
The DOH must assume leadership in health in times of emergencies, calamities and disasters, including system failures.
The DOH must ensure quality of training and health human resource development at all levels of the health care system.
The DOH must oversee financing of the health sector and ensure equity and accessibility to health services.
The DOH must articulate the national health research agenda and ensure sufficient resources and logistics to attain excellence in evidence-based interventions for health.

Rationalization and streamlining plan requirements

The DOH must prepare a Rationalization and Streamlining Plan (RSP) to effect efficiency and effectiveness in DOH activities due to functional and operational redirection.
The RSP must contain:
- the specific shift in policy directions, functions, programs, and activities/strategies;
- the structural and organizational shift, stating specific functions and activities by organizational unit and the relationship of each unit;
- the staffing shift, highlighting and itemizing existing filled and unfilled positions; and
- the resource allocation shift, specifying effects on the agency budgetary allocation and where possible, indicating savings generated.
The RSP must be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for approval before the corresponding shifts are affected by the DOH Secretary.
The DOH Secretary may implement the approved RSP, and after its approval, additional authorization applies on agency and facility structuring (including pilot testing and hospital corporatization), under the principles of efficiency and effectiveness.

Personnel redeployment and funding limits

Redeployment of officials and other personnel based on the approved RSP must not result in diminution in rank and compensation of existing personnel.
Redeployment must take into account all pertinent Civil Service laws and rules.
Funding for implementing the RSP must be taken from funds available in the DOH.
The total requirements for implementing the revised staffing pattern must not exceed available funds for Personnel Services.

Separation benefits and post-plan authority

Personnel who opt to be separated due to implementation of the Executive Order are entitled to benefits under existing laws.
For personnel not covered by existing laws, separation benefits are equivalent to one month basic salary for every year of service or a proportionate share thereof.
Separation is also paired with terminal fee benefits to which the person is entitled under existing laws.
After the approved RSP, the DOH Secretary is authorized, in addition to implementing the RSP, to determine the type of agencies and facilities necessary to carry out the DOH’s mandate and roles.
The DOH Secretary is authorized to conduct pilot testing of programs and to carry out such-pre corporization of hospitals, strictly according to principles of efficiency and effectiveness.

Effectivity and immediate application

The Executive Order takes effect immediately.
The order was signed in the City of Manila on May 24, 1999.