By CESAR JOLITO III

Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief Dr. Girlie Pinongan will officially retire from government service on Friday, May 15, ending years of service, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II confirmed.

Diaz said Pinongan had previously received two extensions, allowing her to continue serving beyond her original retirement schedule.

With her departure now finalized, the provincial government is preparing transition measures to ensure continuity in health services across the province.

An officer-in-charge will temporarily oversee the PHO while consultations continue for the selection of a permanent replacement.

According to Diaz, discussions among provincial medical and health officials are still ongoing, with no final decision yet on who will succeed Pinongan.

“We may have a name put forward as her possible successor, maybe after a month, once consultations and assessments are completed,” Diaz said.

The provincial government is also moving forward with staffing changes within the health office.

Diaz confirmed that the recruitment and evaluation process for two Provincial Health Officer I positions have already been completed.

The shortlisted candidates are set to be endorsed to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for appointment.

Once approved, one official will supervise public health services, while the other will focus on planning, program development and project evaluation./CJ, WDJ