Reorganizing the Ministry of Health, Integrating the Components of Health Care Delivery Into Its Field Operations, and for Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 851

Reorganizing the Ministry of Health, Integrating the Components of Health Care Delivery into its Field Operations, and for Other Purposes

I. Purpose and Authority (Whereas clauses)
- Pursue national development through efficient, effective, and economical government.
- Integrate promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative components of health care delivery.
- Reorganize the Ministry of Health to accomplish this integration.
- Authority vested in the President under Presidential Decree No. 1416, as amended.

II. Functions and Organization of the Ministry (Sections 1-12)
- Primary responsibility for health policies and programs, promoting and protecting public health.
- Headed by the Minister of Health, assisted by Deputy Ministers.
- Composed of the Ministry proper, staff and line bureaus, special projects, medical centers, special hospitals, and regional offices.
- Creation of Health Education and Manpower Development Service (Sec. 3).
- Creation of Bureau of Food and Drugs, with authority over nutritional and medicinal claims in advertising (Sec. 4).
- Bureau of Quarantine to continue its functions, including supervision over rat-proof zones and medical examination of aliens (Sec. 5).
- Staff bureaus and special projects may exercise line functions in the National Capital Region (Sec. 6).
- Ministry proper units listed (Sec. 7).
- Staff bureaus, special projects, line bureau, medical centers, hospitals, and research institutes under the Minister's supervision and control (Secs. 8-10).
- Administrative supervision over Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine Medical Care Commission, and Schistosomiasis Control Council (Sec. 11).
- Tondo Medical Center attached for policy and program coordination (Sec. 12).

III. Field Services of the Ministry (Sections 13-16)
- Regional Health Offices responsible for field operations and effective health services, utilizing the Primary Health Care approach and community participation (Sec. 13).
- Supervision and control over Regional Hospital, medical centers, and provincial health offices.
- Regional Hospital to have integrated facilities like Regional Laboratories and Regional Mental Hospitals (Sec. 13).
- Integration of line functions of Family Planning Service, Malaria Eradication Service, Nutrition Service, and Schistosomiasis Control and Research Service into Regional Health Offices (Sec. 13).
- Provincial Health Offices formed by merging Provincial Health Office and Provincial Hospital, responsible for integrated health care delivery in the province (Sec. 14).
- Supervision and control over district hospitals and field health units.
- District hospitals (formerly emergency hospitals) to exercise supervision over field health units and serve as outpatient services (Sec. 14).
- Integration of field operations of Family Planning Service, Malaria Eradication Service, Nutrition Service, and Schistosomiasis Control and Research Service into Provincial Health Offices within two years (Sec. 14).
- City health officers appointed by the Minister of Health, in consultation with city mayors (Sec. 15).
- Local government health services allowed, with technical supervision from the Ministry (Sec. 15).
- Delegation of powers and authorities to heads of Regional Health Offices, Provincial Health Offices, and other subordinate units (Sec. 16).

IV. Miscellaneous Provisions (Sections 17-23)
- Phase out of nursing schools operated by the Ministry within two years (Sec. 17).
- Appointments to supervisory positions in field health services on a general basis, with authority to indicate specific assignments and rotate or transfer without diminution of salaries (Sec. 18).
- Authorization for the Minister to issue rules and regulations, subject to approval of the Office of Budget and Management (Sec. 19).
- Entitlement to benefits and gratuities for those laid off (Sec. 20).
- Repeal or modification of inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules, and regulations (Sec. 21).
- Severability clause (Sec. 22).
- Immediate effectivity (Sec. 23).