Newly appointed Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for entrusting him with the country's top health post, pledging to immediately carry out the administration's priorities.
In a statement on Monday, Mercado said his immediate focus is to ensure a smooth transition in leadership between the DOH and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), where he previously served as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer.
"The President's directives are clear, and our immediate priority is to ensure that we are fully aligned and ready to carry out his instructions," Mercado said.
Mercado added that he will first meet with his successor at PhilHealth, Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, to discuss their shared priorities before providing further updates.
"I will first meet with Dr. Bev to discuss our shared priorities. We will provide further updates once we have settled into our new roles," he said.
He also expressed confidence in Ho's leadership, citing her extensive background in public health and previous experience with PhilHealth.
"She is a seasoned public health expert that started her career in PhilHealth, and we are excited to have her back—this time at its helm," Mercado said.
Mercado likewise thanked President Marcos for his continued confidence in him following his appointment as Health secretary.
"I am grateful to the President for his continued trust in me," he said.
He also acknowledged the service of outgoing Health Secretary Dr. Jose "Brix" Pujalte, who resigned from the post after serving for less than a month.
"I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Jose 'Brix' Pujalte for his dedicated service and wish him continued success in his future pursuits," Mercado added.
President Marcos appointed Mercado as the new Health secretary on August 10, replacing Pujalte, while Ho was designated as the new Acting President and CEO of PhilHealth.
