IT’S TIME TO RECALIBRATE OUR DISEASE CONTROL AGENCIES

IT’S TIME TO RECALIBRATE OUR DISEASE CONTROL AGENCIES

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently spoke about "recalibrating" the government by reshuffling some officials and removing others. That’s a welcome move. A good manager knows when to tighten bolts and when to replace rusted parts. But in some cases, we need more than a personnel shuffle—we may need to merge entire government functions.

I’m not suggesting a total government overhaul. Far from it. But when it comes to something as vital and time-sensitive as public health—particularly disease control—we cannot afford clutter, overlap, or delays. Efficiency isn’t a luxury in this area; it’s a necessity.

So, here's a modest, but practical proposal, that we consolidate the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB), the Epidemiology Bureau (EB), and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) into one unified entity under the Department of Health. One chain of command. One clear mission. One accountable leadership.

Let’s call this new entity whatever we want—the Center for Infectious Disease Management, perhaps—but what matters is that it should be headed by an Undersecretary who directly reports to the Secretary of Health, and not merely “coordinate” among silos. The job calls for a firm, decisive manager who can mobilize people and resources without getting bogged down by bureaucratic red tape.

Some might argue this would require legislation—and they may be right. But I also believe the President has enough leeway to reorganize within the executive branch. That’s not overreach; that’s leadership. And the sooner we begin streamlining, the better. After all, viruses don’t wait for Congress.

And before anyone raises eyebrows, no—I am not echoing Donald Trump. But say what you want about him, his push for a “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) had a point. It wasn’t about being flashy; it was about getting government to function faster and cheaper. What’s wrong with that?

In our case, we need to be proactive, not reactive. Another pandemic—or even a localized outbreak—could strike at any moment. We were caught off guard by COVID-19. Are we still willing to risk being unprepared next time?

Take contact tracing, for example. During the pandemic, it was everyone’s job and no one’s responsibility. That must change. The newly consolidated entity should have full control over contact tracing, backed by robust technology and approved by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). No more patchwork apps. No more conflicting protocols.

Then there’s the often-overlooked issue of HAZMAT victims. Right now, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) handles the cleanup, but who takes care of the people exposed? This should clearly fall under the DOH—specifically under this new unit. We need a medical team ready to respond not just to diseases, but also to chemical exposure incidents. If the danger is public health, then public health must lead the response.

I’m not an alarmist. I’m just being practical.

We’re not reinventing the wheel here. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. has long functioned as a centralized authority for health crises, with considerable success. Why can’t we emulate the structure—minus the politics?

Consolidating these three agencies will lead to:

  • Faster coordination.
  • Clearer accountability.
  • More efficient use of resources.
  • Stronger scientific and operational synergy.

We already have great people working in DPCB, EB, and RITM. This isn’t about firing anyone—it’s about putting them on the same team, with the same playbook.

Of course, implementation won’t be simple. It must involve consultations with health professionals, local government units (LGUs), and maybe even our international partners. We need the legal framework, the funding, and the systems to back it up.

But it’s doable—and more importantly, it’s worth doing.

President Marcos Jr. has already shown a willingness to adapt and reform. This proposal fits right in with that mindset. A government that learns from the past and one that plans ahead is one that serves its people best.

We’ve had our wake-up call. Let’s not press the snooze button again.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

07-27-2025

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