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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Vergeire ready to become DOH chief if offered

Vergeire ready to become DOH chief if offered

Published Jan 31, 2023 02:30 pm

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire speaks to members of the media during the first face-to-face press briefing after two years at the DOH Central Office in Manila on Wednesday, July 20. (MB Photo: Noel Pabalate)

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said she is ready to play the role as the country’s next Department of Health (DOH) secretary if President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will offer her the said position.

Currently, Vergeire is serving as officer-in-charge and spokesperson of the DOH.

“It will go in a process where I can discuss this with the President, that I am now ready to be appointed, if and when that will be his decision,” said Vergeire in a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Vergeire said that for the past months, she has “experience going to the ground” and discussed some issues with different health groups.

“I’ve seen a lot of things or opportunity that I can change and lead reforms with. So noong nakita ko yan, noong nakita ko yung oportunidad, sa tingin ko...mukhang (when I saw that, when I saw the opportunity, I think...it seems like) this would convince me to really take on the position because as you all know I have a lot of hesitancies because of my career executive position, the tenure of this position,” she said.

“Pero sa tingin ko ngayon (But I think now), with all of these things happening, at sa lahat-lahat ng trabahong kailangan gawin (and all the work that needs to be done) for us to really improve on our healthcare system, sa tingin ko (I think), this is the appropriate time for me to help the country,” she added.

Vergeire, however, admitted that she still has “hesitations” regarding the position of health secretary. However, she expressed that she is ready to further extend her service to the country.

“The hesitancies will always be there. There are a lot of issues, considerations, but syempre mananaig pa rin kung ano talaga yung gusto mong gawin and sa tingin ko I’ve reached that point na ito na ‘yung time para makatulong talaga ko sa ating bansa (but of course, what should prevail is what one wants to do, and I think, I’ve reached that point that this is the time for me to really help our country),” said Vergeire.

In October 2022, Vergeire said the health secretary position was not offered to her but instead tapped to become the DOH OIC last July 2022.

Marcos, also in October 2022, said that he would appoint a health secretary once the Philippines’ Covid-19 situation “normalizes.”

At present, Vergeire said that the country’s Covid-19 numbers are already manageable. The healthcare utilization rate remains at low risk classification, based on the DOH Covid-19 tracker.

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Department of Health (DOH) Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire ready as DOH SECRETARY
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