ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro isn't happy with the lack of a Health Secretary.
This, after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that he would name a Department of Health (DOH) Secretary once the Covid-19 situation had normalized.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/20/marcos-to-name-doh-chief-once-countrys-covid-19-situation-normalizes/
"By not appointing a health secretary up till now, shows that the health of the nation is not a priority of the Marcos administration.These problems cannot be fully addressed by an officer in charge because they have limited powers and their initiatives can be overturned when an appointed secretary steps in. The country needs a full-fledged health secretary now to address the still ongoing pandemic even as the president wants to further open up the economy," Castro said on Sunday, Oct. 23.
She pointed out that establishing a health secretary was one of the essential steps in alleviating the Covid-19 situation.
"Hindi ba dapat magtalaga na nga ng mahusay at may integridad na health secretary sa ngayon para lalong mapabilis ang pagnormalisa ng bansa (Shouldn't a competent health secretary be appointed in order to speed up the country's normalization)?" Castro asked.
Furthermore, she highlighted the need for a health secretary beyond just the pandemic response.
"Hindi lang naman Covid ang tutugunan ng isang health secretary lalo pa ngayon at napakataas din ng kaso ng cholera at dengue sa bansa at maging ng diarrhea sa mga Dumagat, liban pa sa pangkalahatang kalagayan ng kalusugan sa bansa. Dagdag pa dito ay kalahati pa ng mga nurses at maging other health workers ay di pa din nabibigay ang mga benepisyo. Pinuruhan din ng budget cuts ang mga importanteng programa ng DOH at mga ospital (It's not just Covid that the health secretary has to tackle especially now that cholera and dengue cases are rising, diarrhea among the people of Dumagat, and the general health of the country. On top of this, half of our nurses and health workers have not received their benefits. Some of the DOH's programs and hospitals saw budget cuts too)," said the teacher solon.
"A balance must be struck in protecting our health but at the same time jump starting the economy. Consequently, appointing a trustworthy and competent health secretary is the first step to achieve that balance," the House Deputy Minority leader concluded.