Health Secretary Francisco Duque III became emotional and sentimental at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday as he emphasized how his agency has been facing a “difficult” time amid the Dengvaxia controversy.
A teary-eyed Duque narrated how he, upon assuming his post in November 2017, had never missed a flag-raising ceremony at the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that he addresses employees of the agency.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III at his confirmation hearing with the Commission on Appointments at the Senate on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. (CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net)
“One of the things I assured was to address the organization every flag-raising ceremony. I don’t think I have missed any flag raising ceremony, almost being makulit, telling them, you know, this is a challenge to all of us, this is difficult, a struggle, but we must realize these difficulties are also teaching us lessons,” he said.
“Lessons that are so important so that next time this doesn’t happen again and that this really gives us opportunity to reflect on what has happened,” he added.
Duque also recalled how they managed to utilize their “measly” budget well enough during his stint as DOH chief under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term.
“We need to recapture the glorious days, if you don’t mind, of the DOH, then we would inspire and motivate our people,” he noted.
In 2016, the DOH implemented the P3-billion anti-dengue immunization program.
But the vaccination drive was halted by Duque when vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur revealed in November 2017 that Dengvaxia could worsen symptoms of dengue to people who had not previously been infected by the virus, but received the vaccine. /kga