Anthony ‘Anton’ is a full-fledged public health champion whose life work revolves around improving access to healthcare. In his current role as Director of the Bureau of Local Health Systems Development, Department of Health (DOH), Anton works to establish and strengthen healthcare provider networks towards the goal of universal healthcare.

Anton’s public health career started in the community at the island municipality of Dapa, Surigao del Norte where his eyes opened to the deeply rooted health inequity in his country. This experience exposed him to the profound health disparities in remote areas, shaping his resolve to address these inequities. Moving beyond his medical duties, he collaborated with the Municipal Social Workers Office and private partners to launch a feeding and livelihood program. This initiative targeted malnutrition in his municipality, tackling its root cause: extreme poverty. In 2013, Anton’s role expanded within the DOH Central Office, where he spearheaded the development of the Philippines Health Facility Development Plan 2017-2022. This comprehensive plan focuses on the rehabilitation and enhancement of primary healthcare facilities, the upgrading of hospitals, and the expansion of tertiary and specialized health services nationwide.

He seeks to build both his skills and an international support network through the EI fellowship to achieve this goal of health equity across the Philippines.