As he commended the administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for forming a formidable economic team, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Joey Concepcion stressed that the next secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) plays a crucial role in ensuring that the incoming government will sustain the efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we all try to put the COVID-19 pandemic under control, the incoming head of the Department of Health will play an important role to achieve that goal,” Concepcion said.

To continue the efforts started by the Duterte government, Concepcion suggested that Dr. Edsel Salvana or Dr. Ted Herbosa be appointed as the next DOH Secretary.

Salvana is a member of the DOH Technical Advisory Group and Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Institutes of Health at the University of the Philippines-Manila.

Herbosa, for his part, is a current medical adviser of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

The Go Negosyo founder said Salvana and Herbosa have provided the government to outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte with expert advice on how to contain the pandemic.

“I believe that with either of them at the DOH helm will help the government keep COVID-19 under control and maintain our health in good standing which will keep our economy running at full capacity,” he said.

At the same time, Concepcion suggested that molecular biologist and  OCTA Research fellow Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, be given the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) portfolio.

“I have worked with all 3 and I have to say they are all qualified for the DOH and DOST positions,” Concepcion said.

As a molecular biologist with a vast experience in the field of science and technology, Fr. Austriaco will complement the DOH’s COVID-19 campaign with the needed know-how that would help put an end to the pandemic, Concepcion stressed.

“There is no way we can shut down the economy again. Our backs are against the wall with our debt obligations and the needed capital to continue the Build Build Build program,” he said.

“Growth is a must. Failure to do so will be extremely bad for the Philippines,” Concepcion further said, emphasizing that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are hoping and looking forward for greater prosperity under the Marcos government.

Concepcion earlier commended Marcos Jr. for appointing Alfredo “Fred” Pascual as incoming Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In a statement, Concepcion said Marcos Jr. made an excellent choice in appointing Pascual as his DTI chief, saying this is a testament of his commitment to provide ample support to MSMEs.