Health care for all, plus a fond farewell

I’ve been feeling the weight of despair and frustration over the past couple of months because of the fallout from the massive looting of flood control funds. Who doesn’t feel it?

The consequences are stark and very real. Corruption investigations have meant putting projects on hold. No government spending means no projects, and no projects mean no jobs. Add to that, skyrocketing prices of food, electricity and transportation and we’re in a perfect storm.

The question hangs like a dark cloud, with no clear answer: how can our lawmakers and thieves in government stand to rob billions from our nation of 117 million people and watch our countrymen suffer because of it?

Faith in humanity

But my faith in humanity was restored when I bumped into Dr. Benjamin Campomanes Jr., the head of St. Luke’s Foundation, who shared with me an ambitious health care initiative he is helping develop with the help of a husband and wife who donated their wealth to the Foundation.

The couple, who do not believe in generational wealth, bequeathed their estate to the Foundation, a significant sum that will no doubt benefit millions of Filipinos without access to health care for the years to come.

St. Luke’s Foundation will use the donated funds to develop this much needed health care program for Filipinos.

It was heartwarming to learn about this.

Dr. Campomanes shared the vision behind the program, which is to transform the lives of underserved communities through equitable access to health care. He and his team have accepted this challenge wholeheartedly and are now working to turn that vision into reality.

The task is to develop a 20-year strategic plan to advance equitable health care in the Philippines.

Shortage of doctors

One of the country’s most pressing challenges is the shortage and uneven distribution of physicians, with some areas having as few as five doctors for every 10,000 people. Addressing this lack of access to health care, he said, must be the first priority.

The proposed program will have four major components, he said.

First, train more physicians to serve underserved communities.

The priority is to produce more doctors who are committed to practicing in provinces where the doctor-to-patient ratio is critically low.

Second, establish primary care facilities (PCF).

These facilities will be built in the communities where the physicians will serve. Each will be equipped to provide essential health care services. Over time, the facilities could become financially sustainable through support from PhilHealth.

Third, develop referral hubs to support the PCFs. This will ensure continuity of care throughout the health care system.

Finally, strengthen and expand the Evelyn D. Ang/Dana Ward, St. Luke’s charity ward.

This will accommodate patients with more complex medical conditions who require specialized care, completing the continuum of health care, from primary care to advanced medical treatment.

These four components represent an end-to-end health care program.

Dr. Campomanes and I talked about this program during a recent chat. He was visibly excited. I, too, felt very hopeful for our people.

And to think it all started with two good Samaritans who decided to donate their wealth to help Filipinos.

This, for me, was a clap back of sorts to the thieves who rob our country.

A big salute to the good samaritans, Dr. Campomanes and his team at St. Luke’s Foundation for taking on the challenge.

A salute to Shell’s Serge Bernal Jr.

And speaking of people who make a difference, I would also like to offer my salute and fond send-off to Serge Bernal Jr., vice president for Corporate Relations of Shell Pilipinas Corp., who will soon retire.

He is one of PeopleAsia’s Men Who Matter 2026.

Serge’s career is a story of perseverance, adaptability and people-centered leadership. A graduate of De La Salle University with a degree in Industrial Management Engineering, he started in sales before taking on various roles in Shell’s downstream business, including business development, training and marketing, in local, regional and global assignments.

He also served as general manager of a joint venture company before returning to SPC, where he took on sales and marketing leadership roles in lubricants. Under his watch, the business achieved outstanding sales growth and built strong, high-performing teams that earned global recognition. Serge himself received two Global EVP Awards for Project Pearl and Project Kindle.

But beyond the impressive career milestones, what struck me most about Serge is his belief that his greatest achievement is seeing his people excel, become leaders and even surpass him.

I read his PeopleAsia profile which noted that his early years in sales taught him that everyone matters, from the security guard to the company president. He carried this lesson throughout his career, building relationships, learning from others and treating his team like family.

Outside work, Serge enjoys motorcycle riding, running and golf.

As he moves on to the next chapter, he leaves behind not only a record of professional accomplishments but also a legacy of mentorship and people whose careers he has helped shape.

A fond farewell, Serge, and best wishes!

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on X @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.