I welcome USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire's designation as the Health Department OIC.

We have seen her dedication and passion to serve, particularly during the Duterte Administration, tirelessly working also at the forefront of our COVID-19 efforts. I am confident that she will be able to steer the health department to the best of her abilities. Given her experience, we expect that our COVID-19 response efforts will continue to be strengthened especially when it comes to vaccination.

Rest assured that as chair of the Senate Committee on Health, we will continue to work closely with the Executive branch and support their plans and programs for the betterment of our health sector and towards full pandemic recovery leaving no Filipino behind.

SEN. CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" GO

Pasay City, 14 July 2022