Juan Flavier

Juan Martin Flavier (Tagalog pronunciation: [hwan mɐɾˈtɪn flaˈvjeɹ]; June 23, 1935 – October 30, 2014) was a Filipino physician and politician. He served as the Secretary of Health under President Fidel V. Ramos from 1992 to 1995, and was later elected to the Senate, serving from 1995 to 2007.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Martin and the surname or paternal family name is Flavier.

The Honorable
Juan M. Flavier
21st President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
In office
August 12, 2002 – June 30, 2007
Preceded byManuel Villar
Succeeded byJinggoy Estrada
Senator of the Philippines
In office
June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2007
Secretary of Health
In office
July 1, 1992 – January 30, 1995
PresidentFidel V. Ramos
Preceded byAntonio Periquet
Succeeded byJaime Galvez-Tan
Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board
In office
1992–1995
PresidentFidel V. Ramos
Preceded byAntonio Periquet
Succeeded byJaime Galvez-Tan
Personal details
Born
Juan Martin Flavier

(1935-06-23)June 23, 1935
Tondo, Manila, Philippine Islands
DiedOctober 30, 2014(2014-10-30) (aged 79)
Quezon City, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Political partyLakas–CMD/Lakas–Kampi–CMD
SpouseAlma Susana Aguila Flavier
Children4
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Manila (M.D.)
Johns Hopkins University (M.P.H.)
ProfessionPhysician

Early life

Flavier was born in Tondo, Manila.[1] He was born in a very poor family to semi-literate parents.[2] He eventually moved to Baguio where he finished his secondary studies at the Baguio City National High School. He is trained as a doctor and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the UP College of Medicine at the University of the Philippines Manila in 1960 and Masters in Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in 1969.

He was known for his short stature at only 1.50 meters (4 ft 11 in).[2]

Career

"Doctor to the Barrios"

Flavier went to serve poor rural barangays in Nueva Ecija and Cavite as a "doctor to the barrios".[1] He was a "country doctor" for 30 years.[2] His work was recognized and he was appointed president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.[1] in 1967. From 1978 to 1992, he was president of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction.

Department of Health

In 1992, Philippine President Fidel Ramos appointed Flavier Secretary of the Department of Health.[2] During his term, he initiated various health programs such as "Lets DOH it", "Yosi Kadiri",Oplan Alís Disease, Kontra Kolera, Stop TB, Araw ng Sangkáp Pinoy, Family Planning and Doctor to the Barrios Program.[3] During his term barangay health workers were organized.[4] He served as Secretary of the Department of Health until 1995. He was regularly rated one of the most popular government officials and his department one of the most effective.[2] He was perhaps the most popular Secretary of Health.[4]

Philippine Senate

In 1995, he ran for senator and won under the Ramos administration ticket and was re-elected to a second term in the 2001 elections, placing second among the 12 winning candidates. As senator, he authored and sponsored several landmark bills including the Traditional Medicine Law,[5] the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act,[5] Philippine Clean Air Act,[5] Indigenous People's Rights Act,[5] Anti-money Laundering Act,[5] Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise,[5] National Service Training Program for Tertiary Students,[5] Dangerous Drugs Act,[5] Plant Variety Protection Act,[5] Philippine Nursing Act,[5] the Tobacco Regulation Act,[5] and the law declaring Eid'l Fitr a national public holiday in the Philippines.[5]

When he was senator he had a perfect attendance record during sessions, a fact mentioned in the Senate resolution marking his death, which read in part, "The hard-working legislator registered a perfect attendance during the sessions and was instrumental in the enactment of landmark legislations promoting public health care and improving the quality of life of the people."[6] He was also the "poorest" senator, with a net worth on his 2005 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) of 3.49 million Philippine pesos.[7]

Flavier was also formerly a resident presenter on Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko, a public service programme on GMA Network.

Death

Flavier died of pneumonia-related sepsis and organ failure at 16:00 PST (GMT+8) on October 30, 2014, at the age of 79.[8] He was admitted to the intensive care unit of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City as early as September 11.

Works

Flavier wrote a regular newspaper column about his experiences as a doctor in the countryside, even while he served at Health Secretary.[2]

Below is a listing of works authored by Flavier,[9] including Doctor to the Barrios, wherein he narrates his experience working with and for the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.

Books
  • Doctor to the Barrios, Experiences with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (1970)
  • My Friends in the Barrios (1974)
  • Back to the Barrios: Balikbaryo (1978)
  • Parables of the Barrio: Vol. I (1988)
  • Parables of the Barrio: Vol. II, Nos. 51-100 (1989)
  • Parables of the Barrio: Vol. III, Nos. 101-150 (1991)
  • Let's DOH It!: How We Did It (1998)
  • From Barrio to Senado: an Autobiography (2009)

Papers
  • Mobilizing Local Leaders for Rural Development: The Case of the People's School (IIRR working paper, 1980)

References
  1. Defensor Santiago, Miriam (November 17, 2014). "Juan Flavier: The most honest senator I knew". Rappler. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  2. McIntosh, Alistair (January 4, 1995). "Philippines: Manila Health Minister an Unlikely Agent of Satan". Reuters NewMedia. Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  3. "Juan M. Flavier: The Filipino Health Hero". Rappler. Rappler. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  4. "Dr. Juan Flavier". Department of Health website. Department of Health. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  5. Legaspi, Amita (November 17, 2014). "Senate pays last respects to Flavier". GMA News. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  6. Reyes, Ernie (November 16, 2014). "Senate sets necrological services for Flavier on Monday". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  7. "Villar richest senator with P760M, Flavier 'poorest'". GMA News. May 22, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  8. Dioquino, Rose-An Jessica. "Former senator Juan Flavier dies". GMA News Online. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  9. Books › "Juan M. Flavier", amazon.com
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