• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Dr. Ma. Ayessa Hugnatan has been named the next head of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental.
The appointment of Hugnatan was announced by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday, May 19.
Lacson said Hugnatan, who is currently serving as the municipal health officer of Cauayan town, asked for two weeks before she could assume the post as provincial health officer.
Hugnatan, 40, will succeed Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, 66, who retired from government service on May 15 after her tour of duty was extended for a year.
In the meantime, Lacson appointed Dr. Josephine Pahamtang as the PHO officer-in-charge in a concurrent capacity while she is serving as chief of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
The governor also designated Dr. Von Andre Aposaga as officer-in-charge of the PHO Public Health Service.
Lacson described Hugnatan as a young doctor with a strong passion for public health.
He noted that the appointments of Hugnatan and Aposaga reflect the provincial government’s thrust of putting young and capable doctors in key public health positions. | GB
