By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) has a new officer-in-charge (OIC) as its incumbent head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang is set to retire in June of this year.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson assigned Dr. Girlie Pinongan as the new PHO OIC.

Pinongan is set to take the post on April 3, and will be part of the transition team of hospital directors and PHO doctors.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said Pinongan would be assisted in the transition.

She previously handled the province’s Hospital Operation Department.

Diaz is hoping that with Pinongan’s experience in public health and hospital management, they could come up with preventive programs against diseases in every village in the province./DGB, WDJ