Willie Ong says he's open to lead DOH

Vice presidential candidate Dr. Willie Ong said Monday he is open to lead the Department of Health (DOH).

At the Super Radyo dzBB’s "Ikaw Na Ba: The Vice Presidential Interviews," Ong, a cardiologist, said he is open to any position that will be offered by his running mate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno if the latter wins in the elections.

"Oo, walang problema. Kapag si Mayor Isko ang naging presidente, most likely kukunin natin 'yung DOH para matulungan natin pero kung saan niya tayo ilalagay pwede naman eh. Kasi marami tayong babantayan, 'yung FDA, papalakasin, 'yung PhilHealth tututukan. Kahit 'yung mga DSWD, mga ayuda," he said when asked on the matter.

(Yes, there's no problem with that. If Mayor Isko wins in the elections, most likely I will lead the DOH but it still depends on where he will put me because I will also monitor the FDA, PhilHealth, and even other agencies.)

Meanwhile, Ong said he would push for a more intensified campaign to inform the public about the effects of COVID-19 vaccine.

He also backed the vaccination of kids, aged five to 11, with parental consent as children cannot decide on this matter yet. Ong also said the vaccination of senior citizens is more important as they are vulnerable.

"Itong bakuna sa five to 11 may tulong naman pero kung kukumpara natin ang benepisyo ng bakuna sa senior, sa 70 and above, 'yun talaga kailangan bakunahan kasi senior ang naoospital eh, senior ang namamatay," Ong said.

(This vaccination for five to 11-years-old, this could help but it is more important to inoculate senior citizens as they are more vulnerable than children.)—AOL, GMA News