Juan Flavier

Juan Martin Flavier (; 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.

Early life Flavier was born in Tondo, Manila. He eventually moved to Baguio, where he finished his secondary studies at the Baguio City National High School. He 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 a Master of 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). He was a "country doctor" for 30 years. During his term, barangay health workers were organized.

Senator of the Philippines (1995–2007) 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 a senator, he authored and sponsored several landmark bills including the Traditional Medicine Law, the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, 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.

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

Popular culture Flavier was portrayed in Magpakailanman by Ogie Alcasid.

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. 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 as Health Secretary. 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)