Go urges strong health leadership amid DOH shake-up

Senator Bong Go on Saturday expressed concern over the departure of three Department of Health (DOH) officials, including former spokesperson Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, who played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, issued a statement acknowledging the exit of Vergeire, Kenneth Ronquillo, and Achilles Gerard Bravo from the agency. Their names were recently removed from the DOH Executive Committee roster, as confirmed by the department’s spokesperson. While the reasons for their departure remain undisclosed, all three are Career Executive Service Officers.

“It has come to my attention that three Undersecretaries of the Department of Health are no longer affiliated with the DOH. Nanghihinayang ako na wala na sa DOH silang maituturing nating asset ng gobyerno dahil sa kanilang karanasan at angking galing,” Go said.

(I regret that they are no longer with the DOH, as they were valuable assets to the government because of their experience and innate competence.)

He highlighted the significant contributions of the former undersecretaries, particularly during the country’s pandemic response.

“Ang ilan sa kanila ay mga doktor na malaki ang naiambag sa pagpapatupad ng Universal Health Care Act at naging mukha ng gobyerno noong kasagsagan ng nakaraang pandemya,” he added.

(Some of them are doctors who made significant contributions to the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and became the face of the government during the height of the pandemic.)

The statement came a day after Malacañang confirmed the appointment of lawyer Randy Bacolor Escolango to the DOH, replacing Vergeire. Escolango previously held executive positions at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Go emphasized the need for qualified leadership at the DOH amid continuing efforts to strengthen the healthcare system.

“Bilang chairperson ng Senate Committee on Health, hangad kong magkaroon tayo ng mga opisyal sa DOH na merong karanasan, kwalipikasyon at dedikasyon, lalo na ngayon na patuloy nating pinapalakas ang ating healthcare system at lalong inilalapit ang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan sa mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mga mahihirap at walang ibang malalapitan kundi ang gobyerno,” he said.

(As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, I hope we will have officials in the DOH who possess experience, qualifications, and dedication—especially now as we continue to strengthen our healthcare system and bring health services closer to Filipinos, particularly the poor who have no one else to turn to but the government.)