Vergeire vows no Filipino will be left behind in healthcare program

FILE PHOTO: Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. INQUIRER file photo / EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines — New Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosaria Vergeire on Thursday vowed to leave no Filipino behind as they work towards universal healthcare.

This is Vergeire’s first public statement as OIC of the DOH after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed her to the position on Thursday afternoon.

“Maraming salamat po sa ating Pangulo at sa bayan para sa pagkakataong ito na maglingkod. Agarang hangarin po naming lahat sa Kagawaran na paigtingin ang pagbakuna, mapigilan ang pagdami ng kaso ng COVID, at mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga health workers,” said Vergeire.

(Many thanks to our President and the people for this opportunity to serve. We in the Department immediately want to intensify vaccinations, prevent the increase in COVID cases, and safeguard the welfare of health workers.)

“Patuloy po tayong makikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang sector. Wala pong maiiwan, lahat tayo magkakasama patungo sa universal healthcare,” she added.

(We will continue to work with various sectors. No one will be left behind. We will all be together towards universal healthcare.)

Under Memorandum Circular No. 1, effective June 30, “the OIC shall perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the office until 31 July 2022, or until a replacement has been appointed or designated, whichever comes first.”

However, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles stated Vergeire’s role as the health department’s OIC may be extended if Marcos has not picked a health secretary by July 31.

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