Juan Martin Flavier (Tagalog pronunciation:[hwanmɐɾˈtɪnflaˈvjeɹ]; 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 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]
^ ab"Dr. Juan Flavier". Department of Health website. Department of Health. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.