IN WHAT LOOKS more like a distorted sense of compliance, the Department of Health (DOH) formulated its own version of the “Palace-inspired recalibration” following Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s move to fire three career executive officers (CESO).
The casualties — Health Undersecretaries Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, CESO II; Achilles Gerard Bravo, CESO, II; and Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, CESO III.
By his own admission, DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo confirmed that Vergeire, Bravo and Ronquillo are no longer affiliated with the agency.
A check at the DOH website showed that their names are also no longer on the list of the members of the DOH’s Executive Committee (Execom), composed of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and his undersecretaries and assistant secretaries.
Domingo however declined to provide details as to why they were fired by Herbosa.“Decisions of Execom members leading to their separation from the service (e.g., retirement, resignation, etc.) are personal in nature and treated with the utmost respect as to privacy,” he said in a message on Sunday.
The DOH has yet to make an announcement on the incoming officials.
LOBBYING MAFIA
However, a DOH Insider tweaked Domingo’s claim even as he insisted that the move may have something to do with the agency’s medical supplies procurement deals.
According to the Insider, a group claiming affiliation to Herbosa has been manipulating the bidding process.
When asked which particular medicines have been “manipulated,” the Insider particularly hinted at procurement deals for the supply of antidotes to cure infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and dengue.
He went as far as claiming that the group had been in the “business” since the previous administration.
The same mafia, he added, is expected to “bankroll” the appointment of people who would be able to help their business in the government.
“Nagalit yung mafia sa mga Usec kasi laging sinisilip yung mga lapses sa procurement deals para sa mga gamot. In one instance, isa dun sa mga tinanggal na Usec ang gustong ipa-disqualify for life yung nanalong bidder pero hindi nagdeliver ng gamot.”
MERIT AND COMPETENCE
The move to remove career executive service officers comes after the Civil Service Commission (CSC) cited the need to professionalize the government if only to enhance public service delivery by improving the quality, efficiency, and accountability of government personnel.
Professionalization, the CSC explained, involves establishing qualification standards, promoting continuous professional development, and potentially implementing licensing programs for specific roles.
The CSC has established clear and specific requirements for various government positions to help ensure that only qualified individuals are hired and promoted.
“Ayaw ng mafia sa mga CESO… masyado daw mahigpit,” the Insider concluded.
ATTACHED AGENCIES
Citing the need to comply with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s directive to enhance health services and benefits under the Universal Health Care Act, the implementation of the so-called “recalibration” would also affect the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Herbosa said that the move is primarily aimed at “ensuring that the organizational structure of PhilHealth is suitable for the implementation of Universal Health Care.”
“PhilHealth staff and especially the public have been waiting for this reorg for a long time,” Herbosa said. “The DOH and the entire Board of Directors have paid close attention to every detail,” he added.
Herbosa noted that the structural overhaul was necessary to address long-standing challenges in the agency and to better serve the Filipino public.
“President Marcos, Jr.’s directive to us is to seize this opportunity to make every Filipino feel better about their health, and that is what we will do,” he further noted.
REGULAR OVERHAUL
According to the Government Commission for GOCCs (Government-Owned and Operated Corporations), PhilHealth’s restructuring marks a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to modernize its operations and fulfill its expanded mandate under Republic Act No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act).
The restructuring plan introduces a revised organizational structure comprising 503 units and 7,149 positions.
It is aimed at addressing inefficiencies related to workforce limitations, fragmented data systems, and slow benefit claims processing.
CENTRALIZED SERVICES
To ensure streamlined operations, five critical services—finance, legal, information technology (IT), procurement, human resources, and general administration—will be centralized to eliminate operational redundancies, reduce inconsistencies, and improve responsiveness across all levels of PhilHealth.
In addition, the internal audit office will be strengthened to match the increasing scope and complexity of PhilHealth’s operations.
It will report functionally to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and administratively to the President and CEO of PhilHealth to ensure independence and effective oversight.