By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Dr. Leah L. Del Rosario is still the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
This was the stand of Capiz Governor Esteban Evan Nonoy Contreras who was earlier reported to have designated Dr. Evelyn Bolido to temporarily head the PHO.
Contreras said that there’s no need to relieve Del Rosario from office even if she is the niece of his rival in the May 2019 elections.
He added that he saw how Del Rosario fulfilled her obligation and even called her a “dedicated and passionate” government worker.
Del Rosario is the niece of former governor Antonio Del Rosario who lost to Contreras last year.
Contreras said that “we should not be blaming each other but instead work hand in hand to surpass this (COVID-19) pandemic.
“She will be the OIC of the PHO until Dr. Samuel Delfin returns for work soon,” the governor stressed.
Earlier, Ayr Altavas, PHO spokesperson, issued a statement to journalists on Aug 1, 2020 regarding the designation of Bolido as the new OIC.
Altavas said the assignment of Bolido was made after former OIC chief Rosario went on leave on July 27, 2020.
Bolido was the former Medical Specialist IV and chief of the Technical Services Division of Capiz PHO.
Even earlier, 12 of the 16 municipal mayors in Capiz asked the relief of del Rosario from the PHO.
In a resolution submitted to the governor, the League of the Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP)-Capiz Chapter called for the sacking of del Rosario for purported poor performance.
The mayors said they want a health chief who has knowledge on how to fight and counter the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The LMP-Capiz said the CPHO must lead the campaign against COVID-19 as a public health concern office, but it is the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) that is presently handling it.
Only the mayors from Pilar, President Roxas, Dao and Panay did not sign the resolution.
