Juan Flavier

Juan M. Flavier
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2007
21st President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
In office August 12, 2002 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by	Manny Villar
Succeeded by	Jinggoy Estrada
Secretary of Health of the Philippines
In office 1992–1995
President	Fidel Ramos
Preceded by	Antonio Periquet
Succeeded by	Jaime Galvez-Tan
Personal details
Born	June 23, 1935 (1935-06-23) Manila, Philippines
Political party	Lakas Kampi CMD (since 2009)
Other political affiliations	Lakas CMD (before 2009)
Spouse(s)	Alma Susana Aguila Flavier
Profession	Physician
Religion	United Methodism

Juan Martin Flavier (born June 23, 1935) is a former politician from the Philippines. He was a former Secretary of the Department of Health and a senator. He was born in Tondo, Manila eventually moving to Baguio City where he finished his secondary studies at the Baguio City High School. He is trained as a Medical Doctor and received his degree in Medicine from the prestigious University of the Philippines College of Medicine, UP Manila in 1960 and Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in 1969.

Work history

Prior to his appointment as the Secretary of the Department of Health, he went to serve the barrio people of Nueva Ecija and Cavite.

Flavier became president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement in 1967. From 1978 to 1992 he was President of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction.

In 1992, he was appointed by President Ramos to become Secretary of the Department of Health. He initiated various health programs such as Oplan Alis Disease, Kontra Kolera, Stop TB, Araw ng Sangkap Pinoy, Family Planning and Doctor to the Barrios Program. He served as Secretary of the Department of Health until 1995.

In 1995, he ran for senator under the administration ticket. He was reelected as senator in the 2001 elections, placing 2nd among the 12 winning candidates. In the senate, he has authored and sponsored landmark legislations such as the Traditional Medicine Law, the Poverty Alleviation Law, Clean Air Act, Indigenous People's Rights Act, Anti-money Laundering Act of 2001, Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise, National Service Training Program for Tertiary Students of 2002, Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Plant Variety Protection Act, Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 and the recently enacted Tobacco Regulation Act.

He is the author of the book entitled Doctor to the Barrios, wherein he narrates his experiences while working with and for the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement. He is currently resident host of Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko of GMA-7.

Health policy

Flavier implemented the country's first HIV prevention program. He received criticism for this from Manila Archbishop Jaime Sin, who called him an "agent of Satan" for distributing condoms against the Catholic Church's prohibition of condoms.

Books written

Here is a listing of the books authored by Juan Flavier:

• Doctor To the Barrios, Experiences with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (1970)
• Let's DOH It!: How We Did It (1998)
• My Friends in the Barrios (1974)
• Parables of the Barrio: Vol. III, Nos. 101-150 (1991)
• Back to the Barrios: Balikbaryo (1978)
• Mobilizing Local Leaders for Rural Development: The Case of the People's School (IIRR Working paper) (1980)

External links

• Biography
• [1]