Tayag assigned to new post at DOH

Former Assistant Health Secretary Enrique “Eric” Tayag. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

Former Assistant Health Secretary Enrique “Eric” Tayag has been assigned to a new post in the Department of Health (DOH).

Tayag confirmed to INQUIRER.net on Saturday that he was assigned as director IV of the Bureau of Local Health Systems Development (BLHSD) effective April 13.

As a BLHSD director, Tayag is in charge of the DOH’s regional offices and local health coordination.

Before he was reassigned to a new post, the health official served as the director of the National Epidemiology Center.

In November 2014, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) launched an investigation on the alleged irregularities in the purchase of antipneumonia vaccines in 2012 that involved Tayag and Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

Ona went on leave following the probe but eventually resigned from his post.

Former health undersecretary and now DOH chief Janette Garin was then assigned as an acting health secretary but was eventually appointed by President Benigno Aquino III.

In November, Tayag returned to his previous designation as director IV but Garin clarified that it was not a demotion.

“It’s not a demotion because his actual position is really director IV,” Garin said. RC