Philippines: Flavier Praised for Best Anti-Tobacco Campaign

Source from:  Philippines News 11/05/2014

He will be known for many slogans that successfully moved people to do more, but one slogan that will stay in the minds - and lives - of many people is the "Yosi Kadiri," a disgusting character who embodied the bad effects of smoking."Yosi Kadiri" is now known as the country's most successful tobacco control drive.

Yesterday, former Senator and Health Secretary Juan Flavier was cited by a group of cancer survivors and former smokers for being instrumental in having a stronger tobacco control environment in the country.

The well-loved public servant succumbed to multiple organ failure due to complications from pneumonia at the intensive care unit of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute on Thursday. He was 79.The Department of Health (DoH) will hold the necrological rites for Flavier today at 8 a.m. at the DOH convention hall in Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

DoH officials including acting secretary Janette Loreto Garin is expected to attend the ceremony.

Flavier's remains are set to be cremated after a private ceremony in the afternoon.
The family's spokesperson, Roby Alampay, said they are eyeing Nov. 11 or 17 to bring Flavier's ashes to the Senate where the much-loved doctor served for two terms.

Alampay said they may also bring Flavier's remains to Baguio as the city government is also planning to mount a tribute to one of its most-loved residents.

Emer Rojas president of the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) and Global Cancer Ambassador praised Flavier for his tireless dedication to public health shunning a more profitable medical practice overseas to serve his country especially the poor.

"His Yosi Kadiri campaign, the most successful tobacco control drive this country ever witnessed, catapulted a national consciousness about the harmful effects of smoking. Through his sheer dedication to his job and integrity, Dr Flavier had defied the strength of the tobacco lobby and launched an anti-smoking program that reached the very core of every Filipino household," Rojas said.

Flavier, a known public health champion, pioneered the country's anti-smoking movement as health secretary and in the Senate as author of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulations Act.

"It is because of his strong commitment to public health that many have now come to embrace this cause. The landmark passage of the sin tax and graphic health warning laws were results of Dr. Flavier's endless pursuit to fight for Filipinos' right to health,"Rojas said.

Despite having retired from public service and while recuperating from a couple of mild strokes, Flavier issued a scathing remark in 2012 during the sin tax debates after Sen. Ralph Recto proposed to slash by half the P30 billion tax approved by the lower house.
A man of action and known for his catchy phrase "Let's DOH it!," Flavier was also behind other successful public health campaigns such as "Oplan Alis Disease,"a national immunization program leading to the Philippines' declaration as polio-free by the World Health Organization, the "Stop TB" campaign, and the Doctors to the Barrio program, among others.

In the Senate, Flavier has authored the Indigenous People's Rights Act, E-Commerce Law, and the Anti-Poverty Law which created the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

"Dr. Flavier was the father of public health. He has laid the groundwork for us so that you and I may continue to build up on what he has started and gave his life for. We now enjoy eating at restaurants, riding the jeep, and walking in the street without having to worry about inhaling tobacco smoke because somebody stood up for our right to health. A larger than life person, Dr. Flavier has fully served his purpose. Heaven must be smiling right now as it welcomes God's good and faithful servant," Rojas said.

Rojas also represents the persons with disabilities (PWD) sector at NAPC. Enditem