The Department of Health-Regional Office 12 (DOH-12) is now under the helm of a new regional director in the person of Dr. Aristides Concepcion Tan, MPH, CESO III.

Dr. Aristides Tan assumed his post last October 2, 2017. With hopefulness and gratitude, Dr. Tan was officially introduced by Dr. Amebella G. Taruc, OIC-ARD of DOH 12 during the Welcome and Hand-over ceremony held at Montañer Hall, DOH XII Compound, Cotabato City.

Assistant Secretary of Health for Mindanao, Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama, Jr. and former OIC-Regional Director of DOH 12, Dr. Francisco V. Mateo, led the endorsement of the new director and symbolic hand-over.

Dr. Tan served as the Regional Director of DOH 9 from June 2016 to September 2017 before this new assignment. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Tan was very thankful for the warm welcome of DOH 12 staff together with attach agencies, including NNC XII, for which he sincerely expressed that he already feels like home.

Dr. Tan’s focus is to strengthen unity, support and fast tracking of program implementation for high 2017 budget utilization at the core of DOH’s programs for better delivery of health and nutrition services in the region. As professed, the new director also revealed that he is quite strict on the adherence of the prescribed office uniforms.
Given his vast experience in the field of medicine, Dr. Tan will surely be a great vehicle in uplifting the health and nutrition conditions of SOCCSKSARGEN. By providing a well-balanced management and a more progressive health department by the new administration, there’s no doubt that DOH 12 will certainly able to continue in bringing forth the health needs of the constituents of region 12.
On the otherhand, NPC Latonio is very positive that this new leadership will be a fruitful partnership to fully support the nutrition advocacy in combating malnutrition problems in the region. (DPAurel-NOI/NNCXII)