The secretary of health (Filipino: Kalihim ng Kalusugan) is the Cabinet of the Philippines member who is in charge of the Department of Health. The secretary of health is also the ex-officio chairperson of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Functions The following are the functions of a secretary:
Advise the president on health; Establish policies and standards for the department's operations; Promulgate rules and regulations; Exercise supervision and control over the department; Delegate authority to any undersecretary or other appropriate officials of the department; and Perform other functions provided by law or assigned by the president.
List of secretaries of health
Secretary of Public Instruction, Health and Welfare (1941–1944) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officePresidentSergio Osmeña(1878–1961)December 24,1941August 1,1944Manuel L. Quezon
Commissioner of Education, Health and Welfare (1942–1943) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officeChairman of the Philippine Executive CommissionClaro M. Recto(1890–1960)January 26,1942October 14,1943Jorge B. Vargas
Minister of Education, Health and Welfare (1943–1944) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officePresidentGabriel MañalacActingOctober 20,1943January 1,1944Jose P. Laurel
Minister of Health, Labor and Public Welfare (1944–1945) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officePresidentEmiliano Tría Tirona(1883–1952)January 4,19441945Jose P. Laurel
Secretary of Health and Public Welfare (1945–1947) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officePresidentBasilio Valdes(1892–1970)February 27,1945April1945Sergio OsmeñaJose Locsin(1891–1977)June 29,1945May 27,1946Antonio VillaramaMay 28,1946October 4,1947Manuel Roxas
Secretary of Health (1947–1978) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officePresidentAntonio VillaramaOctober 4,1947December 31,1949Manuel RoxasElpidio QuirinoJuan Salcedo Jr.(1904–1988)December 14,1950May1954Ramon MagsaysayPaulino GarciaJune1954June1958Carlos P. GarciaElpidio ValenciaJuly1958December 30,1961Francisco Duque Jr.December 30,1961July1963Diosdado MacapagalFloro DabuJuly1963December1964Manuel A. Cuenco(1907–1970)December1964December 30,1965Paulino GarciaDecember 30,1965August 2,1968Ferdinand MarcosAmadeo CruzAugust 2,1968December 25,1971Clemente GatmaitanDecember 25,1971June 2,1978
Minister of Health (1978–1987) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officePresidentClemente GatmaitanJune 2,1978July 23,1979Ferdinand MarcosEnrique GarciaJuly 24,1979June 30,1981Jesus C. Azurin(1916–1990)July 25,1981February 25,1986Alfredo Bengzon(1935–2026)March 25,1986February 11,1987Corazon Aquino
Secretary of Health (from 1987) PortraitName(Birth–Death)Took officeLeft officePresidentAlfredo Bengzon(1935–2026)February 11,1987February 7,1992Corazon AquinoAntonio PeriquetFebruary 10,1992June 30,1992Juan Flavier(1935–2014)July 1,1992January 30,1995Fidel V. RamosJaime Galvez-TanJanuary 30,1995July 5,1995Hilarion Ramiro Jr.July 10,1995March 22,1996Carmencita ReodicaApril 8,1996June 29,1998Felipe EstrellaJune 30,1998September 13,1998Joseph EstradaAlberto Romualdez(1940–2013)September 14,1998January 20,2001Manuel DayritJanuary 20,2001June 1,2005Gloria Macapagal ArroyoFrancisco Duque III(born 1957)June 1,2005September 1,2009Esperanza CabralSeptember 1,2009June 30,2010Enrique Ona(born 1939)June 30,2010December 19,2014Benigno Aquino III Janette Garin(born 1972)February 17,2015June 30,2016Paulyn Ubial(born 1962)InterimJune 30,2016October 10,2017Rodrigo DuterteHerminigildo ValleOfficer in ChargeOctober 12,2017October 25,2017Francisco Duque III(born 1957)October 26,2017June 30,2022Maria Rosario Vergeire(born 1968)Officer in ChargeJuly 14,2022June 5,2023Bongbong MarcosTed Herbosa(born 1959)June 5,2023July 13,2026 Jose Pujalte Jr.Ad interimJuly 13,2026August 10,2026 Edwin M. MercadoAd interimAugust 10,2026Incumbent
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