DEVOLUTION OF HEALTH SERVICES Devolution is the transfer of power and authority from the national government to LGUs as the

territorial and political subdivisions of the state to enable them to perform specific functions and responsibilities. Devolution of health services as mandated by Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991, (Republic Act No. 7160) on October 10, 1991, is an integral part of the process in transforming LGUs into self-reliant communities and active partners in nation-building by giving them more power, authority and resources in corresponding responsibilities and obligations. Hence, Governors and Mayors are responsible for managing the delivery of devolved health services. With health services becoming more aligned to local needs, people who ordinarily would have difficulty getting such services will now be more easily reached. The underprivileged, sick, underserved children and women, elderly, and the handicapped will continue to be given priority by the DOH and LGUs as mandated by the 1987 Constitution. The barangay, through its sanggunian, shall identify the underprivileged and the disadvantaged families/households in the community based on the criteria set by the DOH with the concurrence of the LGUs. In 1993, Human Services and Health Human Resources were developed or transferred to LGUs. All provincial, district and municipal hospitals were transferred to the provincial government. RHUs and BHS developed to the municipal government. Each province, city or municipality has a local health board (LHB), which will serve as a venue for making local health systems more responsive to the needs of the people, and mandated to propose an annual budgetary allocation for the operation and maintenance of health facilities and services within the municipality, city or province. At the provincial level, it is composed of the governor (chair), provincial health officer (vice chair), chairman of the Committee on Health of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, DOH and NGO representative. At the city and municipal level, the LHB is composed of the mayor (chair), municipality health officer (vice chair), chair of the Committee on Health of the Sangguniang Bayan, DOH and NGO representative. They are now independent in managing, deciding and planning their own administrative fiscal and development affairs. Hence, appointments of nursing personnel are made by the municipal mayor and approved by the provincial governor, or the city department recommends to be approved by the city mayor.

Organizational Structure of the Municipal Government Office of the Mayor

Municipal Health Board

Municipal Health Office

Rural Health Unit Health Center

Barangay Health Station

Organizational Structure of the Provincial Government Governor

Provincial Health Board

Provincial Health Office

Provincial Hospital

District Hospital

Other Health & Medical Facilities

Municipal Health Office

Prepared by: Marco Antonio A. Baltazar BSN IV-3