SBG cites PBBM’s ‘prerogative’ to appoint PH health chief
SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go stressed that it is “entirely up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.” to decide on appointing a full-fledged Department of Health (DOH) secretary, adding that it is the latter’s prerogative to do so.
“Prerogative na po ‘yun ni Pangulong Marcos na magtalaga,” said Go during an ambush interview after personally aiding barangay tanods and kagawads in Caloocan City on Monday, November 28.
Go made the clarification as some quarters start to question the wisdom of PBBM still remaining mum on who his choice is for the health department portfolio.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go added that he also has no problem working with DOH Officer-In-Charge Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire, should PBBM decides to make her tenure as permanent.
“Malaki ang tiwala ko kay OIC Secretary Rosette Vergeire sa kanyang kakayahan noon pa man, during the start of pandemic hanggang ngayon na patapos na sana itong pandemya ay nandiriyan po na nakatutok,” said Go.
“Very competent and very able. Talagang napakagaling dahil alam niya ang problema. Simula’t simula pa lang, siya na po ang isa sa mga mukha ng kampanya laban sa COVID 19,” Go pointed out further.
During the budget deliberation, Go also supported the budget request of the department and its attached agencies but also issued several “reminders” to Vergeire.
Go requested the DOH to guarantee sufficient funding for its Health Facilities Enhancement Program and continued funding for the Super Health Centers, both of which he had also advocated for in its 2022 budget, in order for the government to improve access to primary care facilities.
He also requested that the DOH make sure public hospitals have sufficient funding to continue helping underprivileged patients.
Consistent with the provisions of the Universal Health Care Act in relation to increases in premium rates and benefits, Go shared that he has advocated for a provision that would ensure that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) would provide expanded coverage of free dialysis to all its members and free medical check-up for all Filipinos.
Go also filed other health-related bills as part of his efforts to ensure that all Filipinos, especially those disadvantaged, can access quality healthcare services.
Among these are measures proposing the establishment of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Virology Institute of the Philippines; Advanced Nursing Education Bill; a measure to establish an Emergency Medical Services System; a bill providing benefits and compensation to Barangay Health Workers; and a measure which seeks to establish Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers nationwide.
