THE city government has reconstituted the Local Health Board (LHB).
Executive Order 55, which Mayor Sebastian Duterte signed on October 10, cited two articles of the Constitution as its basis. Another basis of the executive order was the Local Government Code which specifies that each local government unit must set up its LHB.
The executive order also pointed out that under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Universal Health Care Act, additional LHB functions are also defined.
Under the executive order, the mayor sits as its chair with the city health officer as co-chair. Members will be the committee on health representatives of the city council, someone from the non-government organization whose concerns is health services, representatives of the Department of Health Region, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., a representative of the indigenous peoples and the city legal officer.
“In the exigency of public service and in case of absence of the chairperson, the city administrator shall assume the former’s duties and functions in the LHB,” it added as it pointed out that officers and members must also have their alternative permanent representatives.
The mayor or his authorized representative will identify personnel who will be assigned to the board whose tasked will be proposed to the city council based on the criteria set by the DOH. Also submitted to the city council is its budgetary requirements, as it will also serve as part of the advisory committee of the city legislators.
It is also directed at drafting the health policy directions and programs of the city and that it should hold meeting on a monthly basis if needed.
“A majority of the members constitutes a quorum to conduct an ordinary business of the Board; provided, that the chairperson and the co-chairperson must be present during meetings where the Local Investment Plan for Health (LIPH), Annual Operation Plan (AOP), and annual budgetary proposal are being prepared or considered. The affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Board is necessary to approve the health systems plan and budgetary proposals; provided, further, that the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present is sufficient to approve matters relating to ordinary business,” it added.
Its Management Support Unit (MSU) will be created and part of it will be the City Planning and Development Officer; City Treasurer; City Accountant; and City Budget Officer.
