Randy Escolango replaces Vergeire as health undersecretary

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Randy Escolango as health undersecretary, replacing Maria Rosario Vergeire, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed Friday, Aug. 1.

The appointment paper was dated July 14.

Escolango was appointed in July 2023 as undersecretary for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, leading the Pasig River Urban Development-Project Management Office.

In the Duterte administration, Escolango was labor undersecretary, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority officer-in-charge, and deputy commissioner at the Insurance Commission.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Tuesday said Vergeire, who gave regular updates to the media during the COVID-19 pandemic, and two other undersecretaries have exited the Department of Health. 

On the reason for their exit, Herbosa said: “I think two of them, age of retirement na sila [they were already at the age of retirement].”

In Vergeire’s situation, Herbosa only said: “You’ll have to ask her.”