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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH needs Vergeire as DOH chief, says Recto

PH needs Vergeire as DOH chief, says Recto

Published Feb 1, 2023 09:19 am

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire is the kind of person the government needs to head its health agency.

Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire
DOH UNDERSECRETARY and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire. (MB photo) (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Thus, said Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto on Wednesday, Feb.1 even as Vergeire has expressed her willingness to be the next DOH secretary.

"She’s been our de facto Secretary of Health so appointing her merely drops the "OIC" from her official designation," Recto said of Vergeire, referring to her current officer-in-charge tag. The secretary's seat has been vacant since the start of the Marcos administration.

"She’s not an intern on the job. She’s been in the trenches for the past three years, a veteran in the war against the pandemic," the veteran lawmaker noted.

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"Another plus factor for her is her long exposure in primary health care, as a doctor in the grassroots, in the mould of Doctor Flavier," Recto further said, alluding to a respected former DOH chief who later became a senator.

"This holistic experience – of immersion in the barangays, mastering the bureaucracy, having a good handle of policy – is what we need from the nation’s chief universal healthcare administrator," Recto stressed.

He added: "Bottomline, whoever the President's choice is to head this critical agency should be among the best and the brightest."

Related Tags

ralph recto OIC Maria Rosario Vergeire Secretary 20123 doh
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