History of DOH

23 June 1898
Creation of the Department of Public Works, Education & Hygiene (now the Department of Public Works &
Highways, Department of Education Culture & Sports, and Department of Health, respectively) through the
Proclamation of President Emilio Aguinaldo.

29 September 1898
Establishment of the Board of Health for the City of Manila under General Orders No. 15.

1899 - 1905
Abolition of the Board of Health and appointment of Dr. Guy L. Edie as the first Commissioner of Public
Health.

Act. No. 157 of the Philippine Commission

Acts Nos. 307, 308 and 309

Act. No. 1407 also the Reorganization Act

1906
Passage of Act No. 1487 of the Philippine Commission repealing Act No. 307 wherein the provincial Board
of Health gave way to the Office of the District Health Officer 1912 Passage of Act. No. 2156, so- called
"Fajardo Act", which authorized the consolidation of municipalities into sanitary division and established
what is now known as the "Health Fund" 1915 Changing of the name of the Bureau of Health to the
Philippine Health Service, which was later on changed to its former name.

1932
Passage of Act No. 4007, also "the Reorganization Act of 1932", which created the Office of the
Commissioner of Health and Public Welfare, the Philippine General Hospital, and the five examining boards
(medical, pharmaceutical, dental, optical and nursing).

01 January 1941
Creation of the Department of Health and Public Welfare as provided for in Executive Order No. 317, series
of 1941. The Department was under the Secretary of Health and Public Welfare and also included the
Bureau of Quarantine; the health department of chartered cities; the provincial, city and municipal
hospitals; dispensaries and clinics, the public markets and slaughter houses; the health resorts; and all
charitable and relief agencies. However, the Philippine General Hospital was detached from the
Department and transferred to the Office of the President of the Philippines.

1947
Reorganization of government offices under Executive Order No. 94, series of 1947 with the transfer of the
Bureau of Public Welfare to the Office of the President and the Department was renamed Department of
Health (DOH). Under this set-up were the following:
1950
Under Executive Order No. 392, s. 1950, the Department of Health gained additional functions brought
about by the transfer of the Institute of Nutrition, together with the Division of Biological Research and the
Division of Food Technology from the Institute of Science, and the Public Schools Medical and Dental
Services from the Office of the President of the Philippines and the Bureau of Public School respectively to
the DOH. Within the Department of Health, certain changes were also effected thru the transfer of the
Division of Health Education and Information from the Bureau of Health to the Department proper, in
exchange for which the drug Inspection Division was transferred to the former office from the latter; the
conversion of the Section of Tuberculosis into a Division of Tuberculosis, directly under the Office of the
Secretary, and the conversion of the Division of Laboratories into an Office of Public Health Research
Laboratory.

1958
The creation of eight regional health offices and two Undersecretaries of Health: the Undersecretary of
health and the Medical Services and the Undersecretary of Special Services.

1971
The creation of the Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Disease Intelligence Center, Malaria
Eradication Service, Bureau of Dental Health Service, the National Comprehensive Maternal and Child
Health / Family Planning Program, National Nutrition Program, and the National Schistosomiasis Control
Commission, among others.

1972
Through Letter of Implementation No. 8, pursuant to Presidential Decree No.1, Sept.24, 1972, the DOH was
renamed Ministry of Health. The National Cancer Center and Radiation Health Service were created. The
Ministry was divided into 12 regions covering several provinces and cities under a regional health director.
Attached offices were the Philippine Medical Care Commission, the Dangerous Drugs Board, National
Nutrition Council, Population Commission, National Schistosomiasis Control Council and the Tondo
General Hospital.

1982
Under Executive Order No. 851, the Health Education and Manpower Development Service was created,
and the Bureau of Food and Drugs assumed the functions of the Food and Drug Administration.

1986
The Ministry of Health became Department of Health again.

1987
Another re-organization under Executive Order No. 119, which placed under the Secretary of Health five
offices headed by an undersecretary and an assistant secretary. These offices are the Chief of Staff, Public
Health Services, Hospital and Facilities Services, Standard and Regulations, and Management Service.

1992
Full implementation of Republic Act No. 7160 or Local Government Code. The DOH changed its role from
one of implementation to one of governance. Significant change: branching out of the Office of the Public
Health Services to form the Office for Special Concerns. Two big offices merged to become the Office of
Hospital Facilities, Standards and Regulation. Special projects were highlighted like the NID. National
Micronutrient Campaign, Disaster Management, Urban Health and Nutrition Project, Traditional Medicine,
Doctors to the Barrios Program, "Let’s DOH It"! became a national battle cry.

1999
The functions and operations of the DOH was directed to become consistent with the provisions of
Administrative Code 1987 and RA 7160 through Executive Order 102. The Health Sector Reform Agenda of
the Philippines, 1999-2004 was launched. The reforms are: provide fiscal autonomy to government
hospitals; secure funding for priority health programs; promote the development of local health systems
and ensure its effective performance; strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies and expand
coverage of the National Health Insurance Programs. National Objectives for Health 1999- 2004 was
launched. This states the Philippines objectives for the eradication and control of infectious diseases
commonly affecting our people, major chronic illnesses and injuries that compromise lives of the
productive sector. It encourages promotion of healthy lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors to prevent or
control certain debilitating illness and life-threatening diseases

2000
The year 2000 marked the institutionalization of the Health Sector Reform Agenda (HSRA). The HSRA was
endorsed for approval and support by the National Government Agencies, national and local stakeholders
in health, and partners in the international community. The HSRA has become the major framework for
policies and investments for the health sector.

2001
In July 13, 2001, Administrative Order 37 which contained the guidelines on the operationalization of the
HSRA implementation plan was signed by Sec. Manuel Dayrit. It is also during this year that the 13
convergence sites or the advance implementation areas have been established.

2003
One-Script Systems Improvement Program was established (AO 50. S. 2003) to orchestrate unity,
synchronicity and focused targeting of priority public health programs that would provide the biggest
impact to attaining equity, efficiency, access and quality health care in the country. A major breakthrough
was achieved in providing fiscal autonomy to 68 DOH retained hospitals with the approval of a special
provision of FY 2003 GAA which authorized 100% retention and the use of hospital income for upgrading of
health facilities and services.

2005
FOURmula ONE for Health (F1) was launched as the health sectors blue print for the implementation of
reforms to bring about better health outcomes, more responsive health system and more equitable
healthcare financing. Province-wide Investment Plans for Health were developed in 16 provinces as the
basis of F1 implementation in these sites

2006
The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission recognized and awarded the DOH as the number one government
agency in fighting corruption. DOH also topped in the Pulse Asia 3rd Quarter Survey as the number one
government agency in terms of overall performance