Department of Health 114th Annivesary

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) celebrates its 114th Anniversary today. As enabler and capacity builder, and administrator of specific services, the DOH is mandated to develop national plans, technical standards, and guidelines on health. Aside from regulating all health services and products, the DOH provides special tertiary health care services and technical assistance to health providers.

The government of the First Philippine Republic established the Department of Public Works, Education, and Hygiene (DPWEH) in 1898. Over the years, the department underwent changes in response to the needs and realities of the period. Today, the functions of the old DPWEH are carried out by three departments – the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Education, and the DOH.

Among the most important changes that were introduced in the DOH around the 90s was the devolution of most of the DOH functions to local government units. It started to focus on defining standards and monitoring of health programs, and embark on special projects such as the National Micronutrient Campaign, Disaster Management, Urban Health and Nutrition Project, Traditional Medicine, and Doctors to the Barrios Program.

It coordinates with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to provide the needed support for poor folk and with the Dangerous Drugs Board in the dangerous drugs control program. The DOH also works closely with the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care and the Philippine National Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Council.

We congratulate the Department of Health, led by Secretary Dr. Enrique T. Ona, Undersecretaries Dr. David J. Lozada, Jr., Dr. Nemesio T. Gako, Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, and Dr. Mario C. Villaverde, its Officers and Employees on the occasion of their 114th Anniversary. The Manila Bulletin led by its Chairman of the Board Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabañes, and Officers, wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors. MABUHAY!