Section 32Sec./Art. 32

The Provincial Health Officer. -(a) The provincial health officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character, a licensed medical practitioner and must have acquired at least five (5) years experience in the practice of the medical profession.

The appointment of a provincial health officer is mandatory,

(b) The provincial health officer shall perform the following duties and functions:

(1) Formulate and implement policies, plans, programs and projects to promote the health of the people of the province;

(2) Advise the provincial governor and thesanggunianon matters pertaining to health;

(3) Execute and enforce all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to public health;

(4) Recommend to thesanggunian,through the provincial health board, the passage of such ordinances as he or she may deem necessary for the preservation of public health;

(5) Recommend the prosecution of any violation of sanitary laws, ordinances and regulations;

(6) Direct the sanitary inspection of all business establishments selling food items or providing accommodations, such as hotels, motels, lodging houses, pension houses and the like, in accordance with the Sanitation Code of the Philippines;

(7) Conduct health information campaigns and render health intelligence services;

(8) Coordinate with other government agencies and nongovernmental organizations involved in the promotion and delivery of health services;

(9) Exercise general supervision over health offices of the component cities and municipalities;

(10) Be in the frontline of the delivery of health services, particularly during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities;

(11) The provincial health officer shall take charge of the office on health services, and shall:

(i) Supervise the personnel and staff of the said office, formulate program implementation guidelines and rules and regulations for the operation of the said office for the approval of the provincial governor in order to assist the latter in the efficient, effective and economical implementation of health services and programs geared to the implementation of health-related projects and activities;

(ii) Formulate measures for the consideration of thesanggunianand provide technical assistance and support to the provincial governor in carrying out the activities of adequate facilities relative to health services as provided under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended; and

(iii) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the provincial governor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with health programs and projects which the provincial governor is empowered to implement and which thesanggunianis empowered to provide under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended; and

(12) Exercise such other powers and perform other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.