Capitol names DOH-7 chief pathologist as consultant

CEBU, Philippines — The chief pathologist of the Department of Health (DOH-7) is set to become a consultant of the Cebu provincial government.

This after the Provincial Board has authorized Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to sign a consultancy contract with Dr. Mary Jean Loreche for six months as consultant on health affairs.

A resolution granting authority to the governor to execute and sign that contract on behalf of the Cebu provincial government was approved by the august body on August 2, 2021.

The resolution was authored by PB Member Raul Bacaltos.

Garcia said as a chief pathologist, Loreche is fit to be a consultant since she has the knowledge and inputs to help the Province in addressing public health especially with the current pandemic.

"She’s the chief pathologist of DOH, since we are now faced with a pandemic we will need her input, especially this concern is public health,” Garcia said.

Loreche will be a consultant with “one peso a year service.”

Loreche said she has been part of the DOH-7 team working closely with the different local government units (LGUs) including the Cebu Province.

"The peso consultancy is an honor and a privilege, and it formalizes the relationship in terms of guidance and recommendations on health concerns especially on the matter of testing protocols that will address the current situation and in forward planning as we prepare to live with COVID," Loreche said.

Loreche was once the spokesperson of DOH-7 and was open and vocal in defending Cebu Province's protocol for arriving Overseas Filipino Workers and Returning Overseas Filipinos. — GMR (FREEMAN)