MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang confirmed on Thursday that Health Secretary Enrique Ona took a leave of absence due to health reason.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Ona took a leave of absence for “health and personal reasons.”
“Si Secretary Ike Ona ay nag-leave muna for health and personal reasons. May mga nagtatanong kung nag-resign siya, hindi. Naka-leave lang siya,” Lacierda said in a press briefing.
He added that Undersecretary Janette Garin is now the Officer-In-Charge of the health department.
When asked if Ona’s leave will hamper works in preventing Ebola Virus entering the country, Lacierda said the work on Ebola is a multi-agency task force and will not be crippled with the absence of the head of agency.
“Insofar as the Department of Health is concerned, there are personnel who are handling that issue on the Ebola. So we’ve seen protocols, we’ve seen preparations being done by the Department of Health, even in the—even as Secretary Ike Ona takes a leave of absence,” said Lacierda.
Lacierda credited Secretary Ona both for the increase of the PhilHealth coverage and the number of vaccinations.
According to reports, Ona’s leave will be from October 23 to November 27. (from PND)
