Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire talks to reporters via Zoom meeting in this file photo taken on April 23, 2020. INQUIRER.net file photo / DAPHNE GALVEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Given her experience and for doing her job without fanfare, Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire on Thursday received the support of some senators as she took on her new post as the officer-in-charge of the Department of Health (DOH).
For Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Miguel Zubiri, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. made a “good choice” for designating Vergeire as DOH’s OIC.
“I am static on the appointment of Usec. Vergeire as OIC Sec of the DOH as she brings with her all her experience fighting this COVID-19 and managing this pandemic,” Zubiri said in a statement.
“A highly qualified doctor and a great communicator and has been the face of the DOH all this time and she did it without any fanfare or politicking. Because of that she has my 100% support,” he added.
Senators Grace Poe, Christopher “Bong” Go, Sonny Angara and Jinggoy Estrada were all praises for Vergeire.
“She’s very calm, seems knowledgeable rational, fair & impartial. She is straightforward when updating the public,” Poe said in another statement.
“Her professionalism as spokesperson for the DOH, I believe, has gained her respect from among her colleagues and the public. She did not engage in fanfare.”
According to Poe, Vergeire may also be a “good candidate to consider” as the next secretary of the DOH.
For his part, Go cited Vergeire’s “dedication and passion to serve particularly during the Duterte administration.” He also noted how she worked “tirelessly” at the forefront to fight COVID-19.
“I am confident that she will be able to steer the health department to the best of her abilities,” said Go, who is set to retain his chairmanship of the Senate committee on health in the 19th Congress.
“Given her experience, we expect that our COVID-19 response efforts will continue to be strengthened especially when it comes to vaccination,” he added.
Now at its helm, Angara expressed hopes Vergeire could lead the DOH well.
“She acquitted herself well during the pandemic with her calm and professional demeanor. Hopefully she can lead the department well,” he said, noting that the agency is “very crucial” to the welfare of Filipinos, especially at this time of the pandemic.
“Sana wala ng magiging mga isyu sa paggastos ng pondo ng departamento lalo na sa mga malalaking kontrata at alegasyon ng katiwalian,” Angara said.
(I hope there will be no more issues about how funds were spent in the department, especially in its big-ticket contracts and allegations of corruption.)
Estrada, meanwhile, believes Vergeire is “very capable” of leading the agency based on her experience.