Bongbong Marcos names new DOH OIC, PCSO GM

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Maria Rosario Vergeire as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Department of Health (DOH) and nominated former Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Mel Robles as the general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

In a press briefing on Thursday, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles made the announcement.

“Ngayong araw po ay itinilaga po si Dr. Rosario Vergeire bilang OIC ng Department of Health (Today, Dr. Rosario Vergeire has been designated as OIC of the Department of Health),” Cruz-Angeles said.

Vergeire served as DOH Undersecretary for Public Health Services Team prior to her new appointment.

Vergeire was appointed head of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) in June. The NVOC is responsible for ensuring the proper storage, inventory, and distribution of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines, as well as developing guidelines for the national vaccination program against coronavirus.

During the same briefing, Cruz-Angeles announced the nomination of Robles as PCSO general manager.

“Sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office naman, nominado si Mr. Mel Robles, dating Light Rail Transit Authority administrator, bilang general manager (Mr. Mel Robles, former Light Rail Transit Authority administrator, has been nominated as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office),” she said.

According to Cruz-Angeles, Robles has been recognized for his key role in making LRTA “profitable” under his leadership.

Robles also previously served as the board member of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation.

Malacañang has yet to provide a copy of the appointment documents of Vergeire and Robles.