Section 34September 7, 2007, Sec./Art. 34

The Provincial Health Officer. - (a) No person shall be appointed provincial health officer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character and a licensed medical practitioner. He must have acquired experience in the practice of his profession for at least five years.

The appointment of a provincial health officer shall be mandatory.

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

(1) Supervise the personnel and staff of 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 him in the efficient, effective and economical implementation of health services programs geared to the implementation of health. related projects and activities;

(2) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sangguniang panlalawigan and provide technical assistance and support to the provincial governor in carrying out activities to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to health services as provided for under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991;

(3) 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 the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under the Local Government Code of 1991;

(4) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the provincial health officer shall:

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

(ii) Advise the provincial governor and the sanggunian on matters pertaining to health;

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

(iv) Recommend to the sanggunian, through the provincial health board, the passage of such ordinances as he may deem necessary for the preservation of public health;

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

(vi) 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;

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

(viii) Coordinate with other government agencies and non-government organizations (NODs) involved in the promotion and delivery of health services; and

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

(5) Be in the frontline of the delivery of hea1th services, particularly during and in the aftermath of man made and natural disasters or calamities; and

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