Juan Flavier was a former Secretary of the Department of Health and is now serving as a member of the Senate of The Philippines on his 2nd term. He is trained as a Medical Doctor and received his degree in Medicine from the University of the Philippines in 1960 and Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
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 1977. 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.
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 and the Indigenous People’s Rights Act.