Director Depra-Ramos shrugs off 'relief' yarn, welcomes 'ASEC' post
"I will leave Region 6 with wonderful memories. I want to leave in a happy atmosphere without any rancor. I have given my best service. I just wish continued quality health care for all."
Such was the message of Director Lydia Depra-Ramos, outgoing regional director of the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development 6. Her exit for days now has been derided and interpreted negatively.
In a follow-up interview yesterday, the lady director chose to be magnanimous of her re-assignment to the Central Office. This, she told The News Today (TNT), is in preparation for her assumption of duty with her rank now equivalent to "Assistant Secretary."
Department Personnel Order No. 2008-2988-A dated September 8, 2008 laid down her new responsibility as Director IV.
"....she will assume her present designation a Assistant Cluster Head of the PSDT for Service Delivery and SMCT on September 19, 2008 until otherwise directed," excerpts of the DOH order went.
PSDT is Policy and Standard Development Team while SMCT is Sectoral Management Coordinating Team.
The personnel order was signed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, MD, MSc.
"Eventually, it would be back to 'homebase' for me in Region 2 which is my region of preference. You know regional directors usually have a 4 -year stint only and I have been here in Region 6 for 9 years already. My work is my joy and I am leaving Western Visayas with structures and health programs in place. That was what I asked my staff and the DOH family here, to fight for these structures and programs, have it enhanced," Director Depra-Ramos said.
Pressed for reaction on the "relief" pronouncement of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, the lady director quipped, "it is not for me to question his lingo. As far as I am concerned, I have been reassigned to bigger responsibilities... Undersecretary Mario Villaverde believed that I can contribute to his office and I agree with him so I accepted the offer."
Ironically, with her exit in the DOH 6 came citations from various local government units.
Just last month, Mayor Ramon Legaspi Jr. of Makato, Aklan sent a Certificate of Appreciation for Director Depra-Ramos' "collaborative effort and significant contribution" during post Typhoon Frank relief operations.
Similar sentiments from Malinao, Aklan Mayor Dominador Ilio Jr. and Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez.
DOH 6 to Depra-Ramos' credit is the country's "model region" for inter-local health system development.