Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire will be the new head of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) as part of transitions under the administration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Vergeire confirmed that she would replace NVOC chairperson, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.
Cabotaje told ABS-CBN News said she would be “retiring again.”
“But of course, once the new administration comes in, that can still change. We would like to thank Usec. Myrna, under of course the leadership of Secretary Duque, for her efforts and excellent way of leading NVOC,” Vergeire said in a media forum.
The NVOC develops guidelines for the COVID-19 inoculation drive, manages the storage and inventory of vaccines, ensures the timely delivery of jabs and syringes, and coordinates with local governments, among other mandates.
“Ang magte-take over sa [NVOC] ay si Usec. Vergeire kasi siya po ang maiiwan dito sa DOH. The vaccination program will be in good hands (Vergeire will take over the NVOC because she will be left here in DOH.),” Cabotaje said.
Marcos Jr. has not yet to name his pick for health secretary.
Vergeire served as spokesperson of the health department during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She was a deputy director general of the Food and Drug Administration under the Aquino administration.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque designated Vergeire “as the Incident Manager/Chair” of the NVOC. She will replace NVOC chairperson Myrna Cabotaje, “who will be finishing her term on June 30, 2022,” the DOH said in a statement.
“In pursuit to the continuing response and efforts of the DOH for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program and in line with the new administration, succession is crucial to avoid gaps in the implementation of the current efforts of DOH,” said the agency.
Vergeire and Cabotaje confirmed the development.
“That is the assignment. Pero syempre ‘pag pumasok po ang bagong administration maaari pa rin pong magbago ‘yan,” Vergeire said in a media forum.
“Gusto nating pasalamatan si Usec. Myrna, under of course the leadership of Secretary Duque sa kanyang effort at excellent way of leading NVOC (But of course, once the new administration comes in, that may still change. We would like to thank Usec. Myrna, under of course the leadership of Secretary Duque, for her efforts and excellent way of leading NVOC.),” Vergeire said.
The NVOC develops guidelines for the COVID-19 inoculation drive, manages the storage and inventory of vaccines, ensures the timely delivery of jabs and syringes, and coordinates with local governments, among other mandates.
Vergeire served as spokesperson of the health department during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a deputy director general of the Food and Drug Administration under the Aquino administration.
“Ang magte-take over sa [NVOC] ay si Usec. Vergeire kasi siya po ang maiiwan dito sa DOH. The vaccination program will be in good hands (Vergeire will take over the NVOC because she will be left here in DOH.),” Cabotaje said in a separate public briefing.
Cabotaje noted she had retired as DOH-Ilocos director in 2018, but Duque “brought her back” the next year to help manage the then raging polio and measles outbreaks.
“I will be 69 in December. Rest muna,” she said.
Cabotaje noted DOH’s transition team would “await directives from the new Sec of Health and the President.”
Cabotaje noted she had retired as DOH-Ilocos director in 2018, but Duque “brought her back” the next year to help manage the then raging polio and measles outbreaks.
“I will be 69 in December. Rest muna,” she said in a text message.
Cabotaje noted DOH’s transition team would “await directives from the new Sec of Health and the President.”
President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not yet to name his pick for health secretary.
