What do I miss about it? First off, employees from the government agency where I was assigned to are easy to deal with. They are ready to assist new and old timers covering the beat. They don’t hide important documents more so keep information that will clarify on-going issue(s). They treat reporters as their own family. I admire the past and present heads of the agency because they do their job well and scribes don’t have a hard time interviewing them personally or even through phone patch. I would miss occasions like Christmas when the staff would organize a gathering for all the reporters and correspondents covering the beat. Most of all I would miss the little tokens given by the health chief to remember us during the occasion. Let me recall some of these items. One health secretary (the first lady DOH chief) gave us Pyrex cookware; one health chief (who became a Senator) gave each us  medicinal plant (Neem Tree); one DOH chief gave us generic medicines; another health chief gave us personalized pens (Parker pen in the picture).

I may not have the chance to cover the current health chief, but I’m glad I was able to cover her when she was still the DSWD Secretary. All of them are good story material and they work hard to be where they are right now. Another thing that I will surely miss about my job is free travel! Wee! Not the leisure one, but working while traveling. I was given a chance to be in some places through this agency while on assignment. Most of all I miss writing health stories.