Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Has appointed Dr. Edwin Mercado, former head of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), as the new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), replacing Dr. Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. Who voluntarily resigned. The change in leadership comes amid efforts to stabilize the rollout of the Universal Health Care (UHC) program, according to Senator Chiz Escudero, who welcomed the new appointments (.Ph).
The transition marks the second leadership change at the DOH in less than a month, following the resignation of Dr. Pujalte Jr. Who had taken over from Dr. Teodoro Herbosa in July 2026. Dr. Mercado’s appointment is expected to bring continuity and efficiency to the health sector, particularly as the UHC program faces challenges in implementation.
The DOH’s new secretary will now oversee the execution of health policies and reforms, with a focus on improving access to healthcare services across the country. The shift in leadership highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the national health system and ensure the successful delivery of the UHC initiative.
The announcement was confirmed by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, who stated that Dr. Pujalte’s resignation was voluntary. The new leadership is seen as a step toward long-term stability in the health sector.
