Duque urged to reinforce antismoking campaign

Antitobacco group New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) urged Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to maintain and reinforce the antismoking advocacy pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte through former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.

“We are all aware on how strong the antismoking program of the Duterte administration is. And we hope this is one program that Secretary Duque will continue and, if possible, further strengthen,” NVAP president Emer Rojas said.

The group lauded Duque’s return to the Department of Health’s (DOH) helm, saying they can be assured that the department will be in good hands.

“NVAP lauds the appointment of Duque as the new health secretary as we can be assured of having a surely qualified health chief,” Rojas said.

“He was able to show exemplary performance as secretary of health during the Arroyo administration,” he added.

Rojas also said they were hopeful that Duque would take advantage of his second tenure at the DOH to institute further reforms, especially in the country’s health system.