ILOILO City – To protect public health and restore confidence in medical diagnostics, Mayor Jerry Treñas has established the Diagnostic Clinical Laboratory Inspection Task Force.
This initiative, formalized through Executive Order No. 028, Series of 2025, aims to address growing concerns over fraudulent practices in diagnostic laboratories.
The executive order, signed on March 28, empowers a multi-agency task force, headed by the City Health Officer, to conduct unannounced inspections of all clinical laboratories and diagnostic centers across the city.
The creation of the taskforce follows alarming reports of some facilities issuing lab results without obtaining proper specimens or using mismatched samples. These practices have raised serious concerns about the reliability and ethics of medical diagnostics used in public health documentation.
“These fabricated or inaccurate medical diagnostic results are not only unethical — they are detrimental to the health and safety of the public,” Mayor Treñas said. “It has come to my attention that certain laboratories have been issuing lab results without proper procedures. This undermines our entire health system.”
The issue is particularly concerning as falsified lab results are often used in the issuance of City Health Cards, which are necessary for employment and accessing public services.
The newly formed task force will include representatives from several city departments, including the City Health Office, the Business Processing and Licensing Office, the City General Services Office, the Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the Department of Health – Region VI.
Key Functions of the Taskforce
1. Conduct surprise inspections of diagnostic centers during regular working hours.
2. Ensure that laboratories possess the required Sanitary Permit, Business Permit, and valid License to Operate, as stipulated by DOH Administrative Order No. 2021-0037.
3. Legal Action – Facilities found in violation may face legal complaints filed with the Department of Health or other regulatory bodies.
4. Submit detailed reports each year, listing inspected facilities, violations found, and any centers that were closed or sanctioned.
5. Within one month of inspection, a list of fully compliant laboratories will be submitted to the City Mayor’s Office.
Mayor Treñas stressed that laboratories not on the official list will be subject to immediate inspection and verification.
“This is not merely a regulatory effort — it is a moral imperative to protect the public from negligent or dishonest medical practices,” he said.
The executive order also provides provisions for amendments and clarifies the legal framework, based on the Constitution, Local Government Code, and existing DOH regulations. The order takes effect immediately.
“To ensure the integrity and reliability of our health system, only clinics included in the official list issued by the city government will be recognized moving forward,” Treñas said. “Those who compromise health for profit will be held accountable.”/PN
