📷: New FDA chief Paolo Teston
Department of Health Undersecretary Paolo Teston has been named the new director-general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), succeeding Samuel Zacate.
Malacañang did not provide reasons for Zacate’s departure.
In his first address to FDA officials during a flag-raising ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, Teston underscored his mission to restore public trust and bring the agency to new heights of professionalism, integrity, and efficiency.
“I assume this role with a clear and urgent mandate: to raise the standard of service at the FDA—not through promises or plans alone, but through action. At seryoso po tayo sa layuning ito,” he said.
With his leadership style grounded on collaboration, data, and accountability, DG Teston laid out his intent to conduct a thorough review of the agency’s core operations, including inspection, licensing, and monitoring, to ensure the safety of health products. He emphasized that the reforms will be swift, strategic, and anchored on concrete results.
As part of his message, he also expressed his strong commitment to the welfare of FDA employees. He pledged to explore ways to improve job security, professional growth, and working conditions across the agency.
“Let us take care of our people. They are the hands on the wheel and the feet on the ground—they are key to the agency’s progress. We will listen to them, support them, and invest in their future,” he shared.
Before his appointment as DG, Atty. Teston served as Undersecretary of the DOH, leading the Health Regulation and Facility Development Cluster (HRFDC), which includes the Health Facility Development Bureau, the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, and the Bureau of Quarantine. He also previously served as DOH Assistant Secretary / Cluster Lead of the of the Health Facility Development Bureau and Health Facility Enhancement Program Management Office (HFEP-MO) (under the HRFDC), and concurrently as DOH Assistant Secretary under the Capital Asset Management and Patient Support Cluster (CAMPS), which includes the Procurement Service, HFEP-MO, Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service and the Malasakit Program Office. His work in these roles has been marked by results-oriented reforms, inter-agency collaboration, and dedication to the Filipino people.
A lawyer by training, DG Teston brings both legal acumen and administrative experience to the FDA. He is also an active member of the DOH Executive Committee and has pledged to represent the agency’s interests at the highest levels of policymaking and governance guided by President Marcos’s whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.
“Let us not waste this opportunity to contribute to nation-building. Each form you process, each product you review, each coordination you facilitate, each decision you make, partnered with the highest ethical standards, creates real impact and contributes to the achievement of the goals of the organization.”
The new Director General closed his remarks by rallying the entire FDA workforce behind the country’s health agenda:
“Together, we can elevate the FDA through transformative leadership and collaboration, to ensure the delivery of exceptional service to the people. Dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, bawa’t buhay mahalaga.” #
