Former PNP chief and newly-appointed Health Undersecretary Camilo Pancratius Cascolan (INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — A physician is not necessarily needed when managing an organization, even if it is the Department of Health (DOH), Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa stressed on Monday.
Dela Rosa made the remark following the appointment of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Camilo Cascolan as DOH undersecretary.
“Hindi naman talaga kailangang doktor ka kung mag-manage ka ng isang organization ‘di ba?
(You do not need to be a doctor when managing an organization, right?)
“Pagdating sa management, hindi mo rin naman maku-kuwestiyon ‘yung kanyang abilidad pagdating sa management,” Dela Rosa, also a former PNP chief, told reporters in an interview.
(When it comes to management, you cannot question the ability of Cascolan.)
Dela Rosa does not see any issue on the appointment, saying that Cascolan was designated to enhance DOH’s processes and not to heal patients.
“Wala po akong nakitang problema diyan. Bakit ‘pag Department of Health pala ay manggagamot ka na ng may sakit? Hindi naman. Management naman siguro ang kinakailangan galing sa kanya diyan,” the senator explained.
(I do not see any problem there. When joining the Department of Health, do you need to treat a sick person? I don’t think so. They need his managerial skills.)
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Health Workers condemned Cascolan’s appointment, noting that it is a “huge insult to health experts.”
Dela Rosa said that Cascolan’s appointment is the prerogative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Bakit naman sila ma-i-insulto? Kinuha ‘yan ni Pangulong Marcos para tumulong magpatakbo sa departamento na ‘yan. Prerogative po ‘yan ng pangulo. Hindi ‘yan prerogative ng mga naiinsulto,” he said.
(Why would they be insulted? President Marcos appointed him to help the department. It’s the president’s prerogative, not of those who felt insulted.)
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate committee on health, likewise said that Cascolan is “capable” of the job.
“As a former PNP chief appointed at the height of the pandemic, he is very much capable, and he brings with him the experience, especially in instilling discipline and enforcing health and safety measures against COVID-19,” Go said in a statement, congratulating Cascolan.
He vouched for Cascolan, noting that he served as undersecretary of the Office of the President under then-President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Malaki ang maitutulong niya sa DOH sa ating patuloy na pakikipaglaban sa COVID-19 at iba pang panganib sa kalusugan ng ating mga mamamayan,” Go said, advising Cascolan to prioritize the public’s interest.
(He can greatly help the DOH in our continuous fight against COVID-19 and other health threats.)
Minority bloc surprised
The Senate minority bloc, on the other hand, was surprised by Cascolan’s appointment.
“That’s a big surprise to me,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III told reporters in a message on Sunday evening.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said that the DOH “should and must always be a public health-led agency.”
“Tulad ng marami, hindi ko inaasahan ang pagkatalaga ni Usec. Camilo Cascolan sa Department of Health.
(Like most people, I did not expect the designation of Usec. Camilo Cascolan in the Department of Health.)
“Tulad rin ng marami, gusto sana nating ma-appoint ay may qualification, expertise, at aktibo sa public health sector,” she said in a statement on Monday.
(Like many, I want someone who has qualifications, expertise, and is active in the public health sector to be appointed.)
She further hoped that the DOH will “find suitable roles” for the newly appointed official “to further add value in addressing threats to public health security and safety in our communities.”
To date, Marcos has not yet named a DOH secretary amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.