Duque: Spare Department of Health from infomercial flak

MANILA, Philippines - Health Secretary Francisco Duque III expressed dismay yesterday over the move of critics to lump the infomercials of the Department of Health (DOH) with other campaign advertisements perceived as intended only for the 2010 polls.

“Don’t lump us with other infomercials. The DOH has been doing infomercials since time immemorial, not only now,” Duque told The STAR.

The health secretary said that even his predecessors, DOH secretaries Manuel Dayrit, Alberto Romulo, Carmencita Reodica and Juan Flavier, among others, have used mass media to reach out to the Filipinos.

“We have no other intention but to teach the people about healthy lifestyle and how to prevent the outbreak of diseases. The best way to do this is through the mass media,” he said.

Duque was among the executive and legislative officials assailed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and other critics over campaign advertisements, which they suspect were aimed at boosting their chances in next year’s elections.

Asked if he is planning to seek an elective post next year, the health chief said he has no plans yet.

According to Duque, the P13.2 million spent by the DOH for infomercials in 2008, as reported by Santiago, is nothing compared to the sickness prevented, lives and money saved because of the infomercials.

He added that the DOH’s infomercials have been proven effective in addressing the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Avian influenza, Ebola virus, Influenza A(H1N1), dengue, melamine contamination in milk and even illnesses like cancer and tuberculosis.– Sheila Crisostomo