Cascolan appointment to DOH hit; ex-PNP chief defends self

The appointment of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Camilo Cascolan to the Department of Health (DOH) has been met with criticisms, including from a party-list lawmaker.

In separate statements, the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and ACT Teacher's party-list Representative France Castro said Cascolan's appointment as DOH undersecretary is an "insult to" and a "slap in the face [of]" experts who are more qualified for the position.

"Cascolan’s appointment is a huge insult to our health experts who are most qualified to administer and run the affairs of the DOH," the AHW said.

Castro, for her part, urged Malacañang to reconsider Cascolan's appointment to the DOH.

"What is General Cascolan's qualification for the health portfolio anyway? Mamanmanan ba niya ang mga progresibong health workers groups o babarilin ba niya ang COVID virus?" she asked.

Castro added that the department did not need a general who was part of the Duterte administration's drug war.

"Ano ba yan?! Ang kailangan ngayon na panahon pa din ng pandemya ay isang mahusay at mapagkakatiwalaang Health secretary at hindi isang Tokhang general na kasama sa nagbalangkas ng Oplan Double Barrel at pumatay sa libu-libo nating kababayan," she said.

Expertise

Sought for comment, Cascolan said his expertise about emergency response could be of help to the DOH.

"My expertise on emergency response and my network and experience play a great role in bringing health closer to the people," Cascolan told GMA News Online on Monday.

"In many conflict areas, health is what brings people together. Being a devolved service (health devolution), my experience on the ground and working with LGUs is also a factor that can bring the department closer to the people," he added.

Lack of concern

The AHW said Cascolan's appointment to the DOH is a clear manifestation of the Marcos administration's "extreme lack of concern for the lives, health, safety and welfare of the health workers and the entire Filipino nation."

The group also hit Cascolan's involvement in Oplan Double Barrel, which focused on high-value targets.

"Health workers prefer an Undersecretary who has a clean track record, not a red-tagger, one whose hands are not tainted with the bloody drug war and one who truly upholds the rule of justice," the group said

The DOH confirmed Cascolan's appointment Sunday evening together with lawyer Charade Mercado-Grande as OIC-Undersecretary of Health/Assistant Secretary of the Health Regulation Team.

Balancing science with management

Asked what will be his official function at the DOH, Cascolan said: "I still have to get instructions."

Cascolan, meanwhile, emphasized that administration, management and strategic planning is his forte, which he hopes will help the DOH.

"Managing health is not just about medical knowledge. There are many doctors in the institution but balancing science and management and strategy is very important," he said.

Cascolan also said he had started COVID-19 protocols in the initial stage" when everybody was in a quandary," adding that he conceptualized COVID Task Force at the PNP during the early days of the COVID-19 health crisis.

'Calamity response'

Iloilo Representative Janette Garin, a former Health secretary, said she respected the decision to appoint a non-doctor in the Health Department.

Garin said that the delivery of health services is not just about doctors and scientists. She said that non-medical managers are also needed to put order and implement programs.

“The management skills of General Cascolan has long been proven in his several years of untainted service,” she said.

“Quick and timely response during calamities as well as coordinated implementation of programs under a devolved healthcare, not to mention the gigantic task of logistics and planning, are important factors in DOH,” she added.

'Not a job for amateurs'

Akbayan spokesperson RJ Naguit, meanwhile, said they are appalled at Cascolan's appointment and pointed out that leading the country's healthcare system, especially in the middle of a pandemic, is "not a job for amateurs and first timers."

"Occupying a position of leadership in a specialized field is not something that Cascolan can just learn while doing his responsibilities," he said.

"We cannot have a public official who will be taught the basics by his subordinates while he is expected to lead, craft a vision, and make critical decisions for those under him. This is a proven recipe for incompetence and disaster."

Naguit urged Marcos to revoke Cascolan's appointment. —KBK/BM, GMA News