ADOPTION OF THE REVISED DOH CODE OF CONDUCT

The Code of conduct is an essential component in ensuring efficiency,
transparency and accountability in the government service. Its primary
objective is to establish the Agency’s own standards of behavior in the
exercise of official functions. It also clarifies and reinforces legal
stipulations on unethical behavior and corrupt practices, hence is
helpful in managing the fight against corruption.

The development and implementation of the Code of Conduct is part of
the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) a major initiative of the
Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) in partnership with national
government agencies (including the Department of Health), bureaus and
regional offices. Formulation and adoption of an Agency-specific Code of
Conduct is part of the ten (10) IDAP deliverables.

Although DOH officials and employees abide by the provisions of the
Civil Service Commission (CSC) Law and Rules and other applicable laws
on personnel/administrative issues, it was only in the late 2006 and
onwards that the management began drafting the DOH customized Code of
Conduct not only as compliance with PAGC directives but also to craft a
tool or mechanism in fighting corruption and strengthen the culture of
integrity among its’ workforce.

Several policies were formulated and implemented through the issuance
of Administrative Orders (AOs), Department Orders (DOs), Department
Memorandums (DMs), etc. A Project Team was created to review and
consolidate these issuances into one (1) DOH customized Code of Conduct
and to harmonize the provisions in accordance with existing CSC Law and
Rules and other related laws.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. To set the guidelines and parameters for the DOH officials and
employees in the conduct of their functions as civil servants.

2. To serve as deterrent against corruption and other malpractices in the government service.

3. To specify the applicable administrative penalty for any violation of the DOH Code of Conduct.

4. To establish a system of incentives and rewards for exemplary conduct and/or practices.

III. APPLICABILITY

The DOH Code of conduct^[*]
shall apply to all DOH permanent and contractual officials and
employees in the Central Office, Centers for Health Development,
Specialty and Retained Hospitals, attached Offices/Units and Bureaus. It
also includes non-plantilla contractual employees and consultants who
report within the DOH’s regular working hours.

IV. POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

The specific policies and guidelines are contained in the Handbook
accompanying this Administrative Order and is made an integral part
hereof.

V. RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of the Head of Agency or his/her authorized
official to regularly review and update the provisions of this Code of
Conduct and to ensure compliance of all officials and employees.

It is the responsibility of the Head of Health Human Resource
Development Bureau particularly the Training Division to orient the
workforce especially newly-hired employees. Each employee shall be
furnished a copy of this Code for their guidance.

VI. REPEALING CLAUSE

All DOH issuances relative to the Code of Conduct and other related
issuances including those herein included/incorporated and not
consistent with this Administrative Order are hereby repealed, amended
and modified accordingly.

VII. EFFECTIVITY

This Administrative Order shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after posting in the DOH Intranet website.

Adopted: 4 March 2009

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, MD, MSc
Secretary of Health

^[*] Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U. P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.