In line with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s thrust of bringing the national government closer to the people and providing them easy access to quality health services, newly appointed Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial visited Region 1 on July 27 and 28, 2016.

Department of Health (DOH) Region 1 Director Myrna C. Cabotaje introduced the Secretary as the first Department of Health Secretary who rose from the Ranks. In addition, as chair of the department’s Integrity Management Committee, Secretary Rosell-Ubial adheres to truth, honesty and accountability in the discharge of functions of DOH officials and employees.

On July 27, Secretary Rosell-Ubial visited the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC) Dagupan and had a dialogue with its staff along with the officials and employees of the Region 1 Medical Center who met her at the TRC.On the following day, she visited the Regional Office I, National Nutrition Council I and Ilocos Training and Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union. Her visit to these facilities and meetings with various stakeholders was an opportune time to share the Duterte Health Agenda and the priorities of her administration and look into issues and concerns on health or related to health.

Her message focused on fight against "droga" and corruption and improving public health access to the lowest quintile of the population that involves about 20 million Filipinos.

Region 1 DOH and NNC employees, MHOs, BHWs and the Association of Regional Executives (where she was inducting officer) are happy and optimistic for what the Secretary called as the "Golden Opportunity" for public health as she encouraged everyone to participate in achieving "all for health towards health for all”.(Ethelreina A. Balisnomo, HEPO III, DOH-ROI) Click here for more photos.