Vergeire says she is now ready to become Health Secretary
MANILA, Philippines —The Officer in Charge of the Department of Health (DOH), Maria Rosario Vergeire, announced on Tuesday that she is ready to assume the role of secretary, a position that has been open since the beginning of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Vergeire explained that she still needed to discuss the matter with the President.
“It will go in a process where I can discuss this with the President, that I am now ready to be appointed, if and when that will be his decision,” said Vergeire during a press forum.
Vergeire said her experiences connecting with diverse groups and Filipinos had shown her potential to spearhead DOH changes.
“So noong nakita ko ‘yan, noong nakita ko ‘yung oportunidad, sa tingin ko mukhang this would convince me to really take on the position because as you all know I have a lot of hesitancies because of my career executive position, the tenure of this position,” said Vergeire.
(So when I saw that, when I saw the opportunity, I thought this would convince me to really take on the position because, as you all know, I have a lot of hesitations because of my career executive position and the tenure of this position.)
“Pero sa tingin ko ngayon with all of these things happening at sa lahat lahat ng trabahong kailangan gawin for us to really improve our healthcare system, this is the appropriate time for me to help the country,” she added.
(But I think now, with all of these things happening and all the work that needs to be done to improve our healthcare system, this is the appropriate time for me to help the country.)
When asked if she still has hesitations, Vergeire answered that she does, but remained firm that she wants to help the country.
“The hesistancies will always be there there are a lot of issues, considerations, pero syempre mananaig pa rin kung ano talaga ‘yung gusto mong gawin and sa tingin ko I’ve reached that point na ito na ‘yung time para makatulong talaga ko sa ating bansa,” she explained.
(The hesitancies will always be there. There are a lot of issues and considerations, but of course, what you really want to do will still prevail, and I think I’ve reached that point that this is the time for me to really help our country.)
Marcos had previously maintained that he only plans to appoint a health secretary once the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines normalizes.
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