Three Cabinet secretaries have been appointed recently and the speed and subtlety that they were appointed now have people asking why.
To be fair, the appointment of a new secretary of health has long been expected. The guy simply has too many critics for various reasons, but the biggest reason was probably the fact that he did not have the support of a certain influential person.
I’m actually being polite, but truth be told, at two events that I took part in, I witnessed how each separately agreed to take part in the event then “politely” canceled in deference to each other, then rejoined when they heard that the other had backed out. Until there were none!
My impression was this person did not want to be under the same roof where Herbosa was and the ex-secretary in turn was aware of such and wise enough to avoid confrontation.
If you can’t be under the same roof for personal or political reasons, how do people work under the same administration? Let’s all pray for the new secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. to have the full backing and support of PBBM, his Kamag-Anak Inc. as well as the self-appointed influencers who lead various associations in public health.
While Secretary Pujalte’s appointment is clearly professional in nature, there is an impression among people that the appointment of Sec. Benhur Abalos and Sec. Francis Tolentino are multi-political in nature.
The primary reason for appointing Abalos and Tolentino is to give them a working platform and media magnet not just as Cabinet members but in preparation for the next election.
Given their charm and mastery of media and public relations, I expect both to be in the limelight and demonstrating their knowledge and skills in the political and executive arena.
Abalos and Tolentino are also known to be loyal allies and getting them re-elected as senators in 2028 would be a substantial insurance against future persecution for PBBM and associates.
In terms of immediate needs, Abalos, Tolentino and Pujalte can be used as a sign that the President is listening to the public, especially the vote-rich working class. I am sure that the appointment of all three will get honorable mentions at the SONA, to say the least.
That does not mean that everyone will see things in a positive way. I received an email from one of our readers who informed me that the recent wage increase is not just for minimum wage earners or workers/employees:
“Hi Cito. Thank you for your column today. Your words are our exact sentiments. Instead of lowering prices, the government shifts the burden to business, as always.
“May I add that the increase is not only limited to minimum wage earners. We are also forced to increase other non-minimum wage earners to avoid salary distortion. Add to the company’s costs are the additional SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG and other benefits that are computed based on salaries.”
“It’s so suspicious that the huge increase happened just after politician Francis Tolentino was appointed DOLE secretary. Nagpapapogi na naman at our expense. Thank you for voicing our concerns.”
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As for the new DOH secretary, let us pray that he has the courage of the biblical Joshua and the full support of Liza Marcos and the wisdom of Solomon because he is going to need it.
Last week, I quoted the comment made by former Rizal province governor Nini Ynares that her latest concern is the shift or exodus of the middle class patients to provincial and government hospitals.
Just yesterday, I learned of such a case where a lady in her late 40s is suffering from ovarian cancer and several other complications. She was advised by her physician to seek treatment at our beloved RMC or Rizal Medical Center because it had top of the line equipment and specialists for such cancers.
Because of economic challenges, more and more Filipinos are migrating from private hospitals to public hospitals. The expertise of doctors are the same since many doctors practice or work in both private and public hospitals.
The deal breaker is usually the lack of private, semi-private or pay rooms, ER congestion, severe lack of equipment and materials as well as lack of doctors and nurses as well as incentives, especially for those asked to serve in far flung areas or “missionary” postings.
With or without the “new poor” patients, everybody in public health agrees that a strict screening of patients between Level,1, 2, 3 facilities must be enforced to seriously decongest ERs and hospital rooms.
Putting six sick people in a ward with many visitors going in and out increases the risk and spread of disease. Government hospitals should be augmented with pay facilities for patients with capacity to pay reasonable room rates, hospital fees and professional fees.
There are barely any private or semi-private rooms in government hospitals that could serve actual taxpayers.
LGU clinics and health centers need to be reviewed and upgraded to minimize unnecessary migration to Level 2 and 3 hospitals. Specialty GOCC hospitals need to review and be transparent about charges and professional fees.
Public health can be self-sustaining but should not be profiteering.
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Email: utalk2ctalk@gmail.com