Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire, Department of Health Officer-in-charge (Courtesy of Senate PRIB)
MANILA – Naming a Cabinet official is not as easy as it looks.
Aside from the ability to lead a department, the Cabinet secretary must have the trust and confidence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos.
In the case of the Department of Health (DOH), Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said it is in good hands under its officer-in-charge (OIC), Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire.
"Ako po ay walang kaduda-duda. ‘Yung tiwala ko kay OIC Vergeire dahil umpisa pa lang po ng pandemic, andiyan na siya. So kabisado niya kung ano ‘yung nangyari nung pagpasok ng Covid-19 sa ating bansa (I have no doubt on OIC Vergeire because since the start of the pandemic, she was already there. So she knows what happened when the coronavirus disease 2019 struck the country)," Go said in an interview during his visit to fire victims in Malabon City on Friday.
He said Marcos need not rush because the DOH is running well, especially in terms of Covid-19 response.
"I'm sure alam po ni Secretary Vergeire ang kanyang gagawin (Secretary Vergeire knows what to do)," he said, referring to the reported new Covid-19 variants.
Go reiterated the need for Covid-19 boosters to enable the country to fully recover from the pandemic.
If ever President Marcos decides to appoint a new DOH secretary, Go vowed to remain supportive of Vergeire and the DOH.
In a previous interview, Marcos said he would appoint a permanent DOH secretary as soon as the country rises from the Covid-19 emergency and has opened up all businesses again.
"We have to get away from the emergency, the emergency stance of the DOH because we have to open up businesses. We have to make the Philippines more hospitable to travelers, both business and tourists,” he said.
Vergeire has served as OIC since June 30, succeeding Francisco Duque III. (PNA)
