Rolando V. Cruz serves as the Chief of the Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD) in Quezon City, Philippines, where he has been a pivotal figure since October 2010. With a robust background in public health and applied epidemiology, Dr. Cruz has significantly contributed to the health landscape of a city with over three million residents. His leadership was particularly instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he established and managed one of the nation's most sophisticated contact tracing systems and spearheaded extensive testing eQorts.
In addition to his primary role, Dr. Cruz has managed the STI, HIV, and AIDS program for the Quezon City Health Department since 2014. His dedication and strategic initiatives have earned Quezon City a place among the Fast-Track Cities, a global network aimed at accelerating local AIDS responses. Under his guidance, the city operates several sundown and social hygiene clinics that deliver critical, evidence-based interventions, particularly for high-risk populations such as transgender individuals and men who have sex with men.
Notably, Klinika Bernardo, one of these clinics, received the prestigious Galing Pook Award in 2014 and the Fast-Track Cities "Circle of Excellence Award" in 2022. Dr. Cruz's expertise is recognized internationally. He completed the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) training by WHO, demonstrating his commitment to
global health security. His research has addressed critical public health issues, including the risk factors of Ebola Reston Virus among abattoir workers and outbreaks of Salmonella and Shigella in the Philippines.
With a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of the East and specialized training in applied epidemiology from the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), Dr. Cruz brings a comprehensive approach to public health challenges. He remains an active board member of the FETP Alumni Foundation, contributing to the continuous improvement of epidemiological practices in the Philippines. His work not only safeguards the health of his city but also sets a benchmark for public health initiatives worldwide.
