DOH's Usec. Tayag retires

Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag has retired after more than 35 years in public service, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Monday.

The DOH said that its executive committee and staff, led by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, thanked Tayag for “his exemplary service for the health of the nation” during a flag ceremony this morning.

Herbosa said he witnessed how Tayag, who served as spokesperson for DOH, developed from being a young doctor to a government official over the years.

“On behalf of the entire Department and the health sector, I thank Usec. Eric Tayag for his time and talent all these decades in the service of the Philippine health sector. I am witness to his well-deserved progression from a young infectious disease doctor and epidemiologist, to health Undersecretary, Chief Information Officer, and DOH spokesperson,” the Health chief said in a statement.

Herbosa also said he knows that Tayag’s passion for service will continue even after his retirement.

Starting April 15, Tayag will be replaced by officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo as the agency’s spokesperson.

Tayag's role as the head of the DOH Public Health Services Cluster (PHSC) in charge of epidemiology, disease prevention and control, and health promotion will also be handled by Assistant Secretary Ariel Valencia.

Health Undersecretary Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong, meanwhile, will take over as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO) in charge of digital health and health information systems. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News