Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday expressed support for the appointment of Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new Secretary of the Department of Health, highlighting his background as a physician and healthcare executive.
Ejercito said he is hopeful the incoming health chief “will bring valuable expertise as a physician and healthcare executive to the DOH at a time when we need to push our health reforms even further.”
The senator also welcomed the appointment of Dr. Beverly Ho to lead the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, expressing confidence in both officials’ ability to execute key legislative mandates.
“I am hopeful with Secretary Mercado and Dr. Ho leading these two important institutions we can achieve the objectives of UHC Law of providing quality and affordable healthcare services for all Filipinos,” Ejercito said in a statement.
Ejercito emphasized that key tasks remain to lower healthcare costs for the public, including expanding Zero Balance Billing, enhancing PhilHealth benefit packages and reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses.