The Department of Health (DOH) stated on Monday, June 29, 2026, that it is deferring to the local government unit (LGU) of Mandaluyong City regarding the management of a confirmed Mpox case in the area. The case was identified by the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) late Monday.
DOH cites local autonomy under RA 11332
In a brief statement, the DOH explained that LGUs are empowered under Republic Act No. 11332 to issue their own public health advisories. “Local government units are empowered under Republic Act No. 11332 to issue their own advisories in the interest of public health in their area,” the department said.
The DOH also clarified that it does not see the need to intervene in the LGU’s mandate given the current situation. “The DOH does not discuss individual case circumstances to avoid stigma and to comply with data privacy laws, especially in the context of a markedly lower case count,” it added.
Sharp decline in Mpox cases this year
The health department noted a significant reduction in Mpox cases nationwide. From January 1 to June 13, 2026, only 44 cases were recorded. “This is 79 percent lower than last year’s count of 205 for the same monitoring period,” the DOH reported.
Given these numbers, the DOH stressed that there is no cause for alarm over the confirmed case in Mandaluyong. “While the disease has always been around, there is no outbreak or even an increase in numbers,” it said.
