Let’s DOH It Again: In Both Houses On World Universal Health Care Day
For the first time in Philippine history, two health reform champions unite in the upcoming 2025 elections to guarantee that quality healthcare services reach the poorest Filipino families, ensuring access to health services for all.
Inspired by the legacy of the late Senator Dr. Juan Flavier (1995–2007), known for his advocacy of “Bringing a Doctor to the Senate,” renowned physician Dr. Willie Ong and Dr. Jondi Flavier, first nominee of the HEALTH ALLIANCE PH (HEAL PH) Party-List 152, are both running in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Their campaign message is clear: “Let’s DOH it again!”
Alongside them are former Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Dr. Eric Tayag and former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Major General Bennie de Leon, who join the HEAL PH team as key nominees.
Both Dr. Willie Ong and HEAL PH are committed to advancing the principles of Primary Health Care, as set out in the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration, and to fully supporting the Universal Health Care Act of 2019, known as “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan.”
Their shared vision, once elected, is to advocate for the G.O.A.L. program that will directly benefit the underserved Filipino communities:
- G – Gamot (Free Medicine)
- O – Operasyon (Free Medical Operations)
- A – Abiso (Correct Health Advice)
- L – Lab Tests (Free Laboratory Tests)
These initiatives will be focused on urban poor communities and remote barangays, ensuring that those who need help the most receive the care they deserve.
Dr. Willie and HEAL PH also pledge to support the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units (LGUs) in recruiting, training, and deploying more young, idealistic doctors and health workers to underserved areas, continuing the program initiated by Dr. Juan Flavier in 1993.
A key part of their platform is the promotion of Health Cards with unlimited medical coverage, which will provide vulnerable Filipinos with access to essential healthcare services from basic care to specialized treatments.
These cards will not only save lives but will also help combat fraud in healthcare facilities.
Rather than focusing on new investments, Dr. Willie and HEAL PH will prioritize optimizing and modernizing existing resources to improve government health infrastructure.
They are committed to implementing strict penalties for the misappropriation of public health funds, including making such offenses non-bailable.
The Manifesto of Solidarity and Collaboration, signed by Atty. Gilbert Lauengco, Chief of Staff for Dr. Willie Ong, was formally launched the other day, December 12, 2024, at Spices Restaurant, The Peninsula Manila, Makati.
Dr. Jondi Flavier, Dr. Eric Tayag, General Bennie de Leon, and other HEAL PH nominees were present to witness the event.
