MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday held a briefing with officials of the Department of Health (DOH) following a spike in coronavirus cases.
The DOH confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that among the attendees were Health Undersecretaries Lilibeth David, Ma. Carolina Vidal-Taiño, Abdullah Dumama Jr., and Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, as well as Assistant Secretary Maylene Beltran.
Also present were Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.
President Ferdinand Marcos holds a briefing with health officials. No public announcement yet regarding his pick for Health chief, but Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles earlier said the President is now in the “final evaluation stage” in completing his Cabinet. 📸: Marcos IG
According to the DOH, the President and the health officials discussed the current COVID-19 situation, vaccination coverage, and recommended strategies “to further improve on our response.”
Meanwhile, the DOH did not say if a new Health secretary was already chosen during the meeting, but Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the President is now in the “final evaluation stage” in completing his Cabinet.
President Ferdinand Marcos holds a briefing with health officials.
No public announcement yet regarding his pick for health chief, but press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles earlier said the President is now in the “final evaluation stage” in completing his Cabinet. 📸: Marcos IG pic.twitter.com/UuiWbdS9J1
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) July 6, 2022
INQUIRER.net has contacted the Palace regarding the briefing but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.
The country’s battle against the COVID-19 remains to be one of the challenges that will be faced by the new administration.
As of July 5, DOH’s report shows that active cases have yet again climbed to 10,032, while total infections stood at 3,710,145.
Aside from the DOH, Marcos also has yet to fill up other vacant Cabinet posts, such as the Department of Energy, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
READ: DOH tracker: COVID-19 hits 823 more, active cases now at 10,032