The Provincial Health Office is mandated to manage the local health system of the province. It monitors the implementation of health service programs in hospitals and rural health units; and spearheads the preventive and promotive health services of the province. It also monitors and supports plans to provide quality services and health products at all levels of care.
Health programs and projects as mandated by the provincial government and Department of Health are cascaded down to the different municipalities for implementation through the respective provincial program coordinators. The following provincial health program clusters and other health system support are the focus areas being implemented province-wide:
Communicable Diseases Programs
- Non-Communicable Diseases Programs
- Nutrition Program
- Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Family Planning
- Oral Health Program
- Environmental Health and Sanitation Program
- Surveillance and Reporting
- Health Emergency Management
- Health Systems Support
Health Education Program
The PHO also took part in the Provincial Task Force- ELCAC activities, by conducting medical and dental missions to areas identified and cleared by the Philippine Army. These catered a total of 1,186 beneficiaries majority of which are indigenous people. Likewise, medical missions were also conducted in barangays severely affected by typhoons to provide immediate medical attention to the victims.
The provincial government under the new administration established the Aking Kalusugan Ating Pangalagaan – Health Unified Body (AKAP-HUB). It aims to provide a better health services to senior citizens, persons with disability (PWD), Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and beneficiaries of Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Patients are assisted to avail the No Balance Billing Policy in all public hospitals of the province. This is implemented in collaboration with the Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth), Philippine Red Cross, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Aside from health programs being implemented, the provincial government prioritizes the improvement of the province’s PhilHealth-accredited healthcare facilities through acquisition of loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines and funding from the DOH.
Housing Programs
The new administration created the Provincial Housing Management and Development Program and will be formulating the local shelter plan in all municipalities. The program envisions Occidental Mindoro as a province free from informal settlers. This vision will be attained through provision of affordable dwelling unit or home lot to the poor, homeless and marginalized sectors; and through provision of financial assistance for the acquisition of land/house. The program aims to support LGUs for the relocation of residents from danger zone and demolition areas.
As initial undertakings for this program, the provincial government conducted consultation/meetings with the eleven (11) municipalities, conducted information and dissemination on housing programs, conducted Capability Enhancement Training for Homeowner’s Association, and conducted Orientation on Presidential Commission for Capability Program under RA 7279 and Anti-Squatting Law from mainland municipalities. Likewise, Deed of Donation for the acquisition of a relocation site in Brgy. Bubog, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro is on process.
