History of the regional office
The DOH - Western Visayas Center for Health Development was first established on March 15, 1959 as Regional Health Office (RHO) No. 5 by virtue of Executive Order 394 series of 1947, and Executive Order 392 series of 1950. RHO No. 5 was then composed of five provinces and six cities including Romblon.
Its main task was to set up a health care delivery system that would promote the effective provision of basic health services in the region. The RHO then had administrative supervision over the provincial and city health offices, rural health units, hospitals, and all operating health units and facilities of the RHO in the region.