TACLOBAN CITY, March 17 (PNA) — The appointment of Department of Health Secretary Janette Loreto Garin by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III last week is a living proof of competence of officials from Leyte, said Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto.
“Although it may sound self-serving since she is my younger sister, but what I can say is that Janette is not just a symbol of doctors of the Department of Health, but more importantly of the people of Leyte,” Loreto said
Garin, according to the official, was appointed because she deserves it. “It is not just a click of a finger that she was put in that position. She climbed the ladder. She started from low position and was able to be on top because of hard work and determination,” he said.
“I am proud of her because she is good in what she does”.
Aside from Garin, also with President Aquino’s cabinet is their cousin Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.
The Chief Executive appointed Garin as acting secretary on November 2014 after former Secretary Enrique Ona went on leave. She served as undersecretary for the DOH Women, Children and Family Health Cluster prior to appointment.
The official, in her capacity as the new health secretary may be able to help Leyte by providing more health facilities, according to the vice governor.
“I can see secretary Garin’s style like the former secretary Juan Flavier who goes to villages. We hope that she may be able to help not only Leyte, but the entire country,” Loreto added.
From 2004 to 2013, she served as representative of Iloilo’s first district, the home province of her husband. Garin belongs to the Loreto clan in Baybay City whose members have been holding various elective posts in Leyte province. (PNA)
RMA/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR/EDS
