Leopoldo Vega

Leopoldo "Bong" Jumalon Vega (born November 4, 1955) is a Filipino physician, surgeon and former hospital administrator serving as an undersecretary of the Department of Health since 2020. Prior to joining the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, he served as medical center chief of the state-run Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City for twelve years. On July 13, 2020, Vega was appointed to the National Task Force Against Coronavirus under the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases as COVID-19 Treatment Czar.

Early life and education Vega was born and raised in Davao City, the son of Garcilaso Vega, a lawyer, and Beatrice Jumalon. He received his primary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Davao and then moved to Quezon City to attend the Ateneo de Manila University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies in 1975. As chair of the Davao-based cooperative, the MMGHHSC grew to 51 chapters nationwide. He returned to this position in 1999, which he held until 2003, and also served in the board of the Cooperative Bank of Davao City until 2001 and as program coordinator of the MMGHHSC Federation from 2001 to 2003 and the Air Transport Cooperative in 2001. In April 2008, Vega returned to the Davao Medical Center, then renamed to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), as its medical center chief. He also oversaw the construction of isolation facilities in the hospital which facilitated treatment during the 2014–15 MERS-CoV outbreak. He also spearheaded the creation of other regional OHCC systems in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Davao Region for closer monitoring of local quarantine sites.

During his tenure at the Department of Health, he held the position of Chief of Staff, where he led two significant clusters within the department: (1) Office of the Chief of Staff: Under this cluster, he provided astute oversight to the Legal Service, Internal Audit Service, and Health Emergency Management Bureau, and (2) Administration and Financial Management Team: Within this purview, he managed the Administrative Service and Finance Management Service.

His leadership in these roles played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation and efficient management of these essential clusters of the Department of Health. Assisting him during his tenure was EnP. Raemond Angelo Karagdag, Executive Assistant IV. Together, they worked diligently to advance the department's mission and objectives.

Personal life Vega is married to Amelia Avelino. They have two adult children.

Awards Vega is a recipient of the 2008 Ten Outstanding Filipino Physicians award conferred by Junior Chamber International Philippines.