Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles (File photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has named Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Department of Health (DOH) and nominated former Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Mel Robles as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles made the announcement in a press briefing held Thursday.
"Ngayong araw po ay itinilaga po si Dr. Rosario Vergeire bilang OIC ng Department of Health (Today, Dr. Rosario Vergeire has been designated as OIC of the Department of Health)," Cruz-Angeles said.
Prior to her new appointment, Vergeire served as DOH Undersecretary for Public Health Services Team.
In June, Vergeire was tapped to head the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), the body tasked to ensure the proper storage, inventory and delivery of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines and develop appropriate guidelines for the national vaccination program against the coronavirus.
Cruz-Angeles, at the same briefing, announced Robles' nomination as PCSO general manager.
"Sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office naman, nominado si Mr. Mel Robles, dating Light Rail Transit Authority administrator, bilang general manager (Mr. Mel Robles, former Light Rail Transit Authority administrator, has been nominated as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office)," she said.
Robles, Cruz-Angeles said, has been recognized for his key role in making LRTA "profitable" under his leadership.
Robles was also a former board member of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation.
Malacañang has yet to release a copy of the appointment papers of Vergeire and Robles.
In a statement, the DOH welcomed Vergeire's designation and said it looked forward to continuing the country's recovery from the pandemic.
“[The] DOH appreciates the President’s confidence in one of its career executives, including the immense responsibility such trust brings,” the DOH said. “Each and every member of the DOH family shall work together to continue the gains instituted by previous administrations."
The agency also assured the public that it is working towards universal health care for Filipinos. (PNA)
