DOH Undersecretaries Removed from Executive Committee
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) recently removed three of its undersecretaries, all career executive service officers (CESOs), from its ranks. This significant change caught public attention as their names were erased from the DOH Executive Committee (Execom) roster on the agency’s website.
The exact four word keyphrase appears early in this report: DOH undersecretaries removed from the agency.
Sources confirmed that Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, CESO II; Achilles Gerard Bravo, CESO II; and Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, CESO III, are no longer affiliated with the DOH. Yet, the department has not publicly explained the reasons behind their departure.
Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, spokesperson for the DOH, acknowledged their exit but declined to discuss details. He emphasized that decisions involving separation, whether retirement or resignation, are personal and handled with respect for privacy.
New Appointments Mark Changes in DOH Leadership
Despite the departures, the DOH has promptly filled the vacancies with new appointments. Dr. Gregorio Murillo Jr., formerly a mayor in Surigao del Sur, was named undersecretary for health facilities enhancement, infrastructure management, and special concerns.
Assistant Secretary Farwa Hombre earned a promotion to undersecretary. She now oversees nursing profession issues alongside gender and development and traditional and alternative health care. Notably, Hombre is the sole nurse among the Execom members.
Attempts to reach Vergeire for comment have so far been unsuccessful. At a recent event for nursing graduates, she was referred to as “former undersecretary,” confirming her exit from the DOH.
Career Officers and Security of Tenure
As CESOs, Vergeire, Bravo, and Ronquillo enjoyed security of tenure. They can only be separated for cause, following due process, voluntary resignation, or removal from government rolls. This makes their sudden absence from the DOH leadership notable.
Vergeire’s Role During the Pandemic and Beyond
Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire played a crucial role as DOH spokesperson during the challenging COVID-19 years, providing steady and calm communication amid uncertainty. She also served as officer-in-charge before the current health secretary was appointed.
Despite decades of service, Vergeire was not offered the top health secretary post. She expressed contentment with her career path, stating she wanted to continue serving as a career official beyond a presidential term.
She joined the DOH in 2007 after over a decade with the Marikina city health office. As she approaches 57 this November, Vergeire still has up to eight years left before mandatory retirement at age 65.
Her dedication to public health service remains evident, underscoring a career shaped by commitment rather than titles.
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