President Marcos ' choice to lead the Department of Health (DOH) is not a career politician or a former Cabinet member, but a veteran orthopedic surgeon and hospital administrator who has spent more than three decades in public healthcare. Dr. Jose Brittanio S. Pujalte Jr., who was appointed...
President Marcos has appointed Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) Medical Center Chief Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. as the country 's new Health secretary, replacing Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, who reportedly resigned to focus on his recovery following a recent medical procedure. The appointment...
A group identifying itself as “Concerned Department of Health Personnel” has filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Health Undersecretary Randy Escolango, alleging that Escolango 's appointment to multiple key positions created a...
Cases of leptospirosis in the country increased by six percent in the first five months of 2026, with farmers accounting for most of those infected, the Department of Health (DOH) said. The DOH reported 2,177 leptospirosis cases nationwide from Jan. 4 to June 6, higher than the 2,046 cases recorded...
The Philippines’ more-than-three-decade-old devolution program remains incomplete, with local government units (LGUs) and national agencies continuing to share responsibilities for many basic services despite the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC), according to state-run policy think tank...
The Philippines and the World Bank have signed an $18.85-million grant agreement to strengthen the country’s defenses against future pandemics, while the Washington-based multilateral lender also commended the satisfactory implementation of an ongoing agriculture modernization project. Documents...
METRO MATTERS Last April, the San Juan city government opened the doors of the Makabagong San Juan Theater to host the Department of Health’s kickoff for World Immunization Week and the pre-launch of the “Ligtas Tigdas” campaign. More than a ceremonial gathering, the event served as a...
The World Bank has approved an $18.85-million grant to strengthen the Philippines’ pandemic response, as the country is considered a global hotspot for emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases. The Washington-based multilateral lender’s board approved last April 29 the investment project...
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 27-2026, publishing the updated list of medicines exempt from 12-percent value-added tax (VAT), as endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Released on April 8, 2026, the circular covers 2,263...
The Philippine MISP Training Module on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in Emergencies was officially launched by the Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and theAustralian Government, during a ceremonial unveiling marking a major step in...
Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for the passage of a measure that seeks to institutionalize healthcare proxies, allowing Filipinos to designate a trusted person to make medical decisions on their behalf in case of incapacity. Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, said that many...
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has filed a bill that seeks to institutionalize a 20 percent discount on all medical services, medicines, and supplements relating to pregnancy to provide equal protection of the rights of mothers and their unborn children from conception up to birth. ...
