Chiz: New DOH leadership to bring stability to Universal Health Care rollout

CEBU CITY — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed the appointment of Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), saying the leadership change could help bring stability to the implementation of the government’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program.

Escudero said the appointment provides “much-needed clarity and stability” to the health department following leadership concerns that he earlier urged Malacañang to address to prevent disruptions in the rollout of UHC reforms.

“We welcome the new appointment and we wish the newly appointed Health Secretary, Dr. Edwin Mercado, all the best as he takes on his new role as the administration’s chief implementer of its health programs,” Escudero said.

The senator also welcomed the appointment of Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho as the new president and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), saying her designation complements the transition at the DOH.

Ho currently serves as chief health officer of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. She previously held the position of undersecretary at the DOH and served as deputy spokesperson of the health department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ang pagtalaga kay Dr. Ho sa PhilHealth ay nagbibigay ng karagdagang lakas sa ating UHC reforms. May sapat siyang karanasan sa public health at pamamahala upang maipagpatuloy ang mga repormang kailangan ng sistema,” Escudero said.

In his weekend podcast, Chiz Wiz! Usapang May Laman, Escudero had called on Malacañang to resolve leadership issues at the DOH, warning that prolonged uncertainty could affect the implementation of UHC and preventive health programs across the country.

With Mercado now heading the DOH, Escudero said the department can focus on strengthening UHC implementation, including expanding PhilHealth coverage and improving access to healthcare services in both public and private facilities.

Mercado brings extensive experience to the health department. He is a US-trained orthopedic surgeon with 35 years of experience in hospital management and previously served as PhilHealth president and CEO beginning in February 2025.

Escudero said Mercado’s familiarity with PhilHealth and the healthcare system could help provide continuity to ongoing reforms.

PhilHealth currently has nearly 70 million registered members and more than 38 million dependents, covering more than 108 million Filipinos.

Escudero said the size of the health insurance program underscores the need for stable leadership, particularly in addressing gaps in preventive healthcare, emergency response in remote communities and uneven implementation of health programs at the local government level.

The senator also maintained that PhilHealth has sufficient financial resources to expand its benefit coverage.

“Hindi kulang ang pondo ng PhilHealth. May sapat na pondo … Sistema lang talaga dapat ang ayusin para mas mapalawak ang coverage,” he said.

Escudero added that discussions on UHC must also include stronger support for barangay health workers and solutions to long-standing gaps in healthcare delivery.

“Pipilitin po nating matugunan iyan. Mahaba pa po ang usapin kaugnay sa universal health care … gayun din ‘yung dapat nating tahaking landas tungo sa mithiin nating lahat na totoo, makatarungan at pangkalahatang pagpapatupad ng UHC para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.