Dr. Albert Domingo’s Vision to Save Philippine Healthcare

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — June 13, 2025

IN THE Philippines, where 44% of rural households are crushed by catastrophic health costs, plunging millions into poverty yearly, a critical question burns: Who can fuse policy genius with moral fire to heal a broken system? Dr. Albert Francis Domingo, a physician-scholar with a transformative track record, is the answer—a leader poised to revolutionize the Department of Health (DOH) as its next Undersecretary, driving universal health care (UHC) from dream to reality.

The Unsung Builder of a Fairer System

Dr. Domingo’s dual roles as DOH spokesperson since April 2024 and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Assistant Secretary for Universal Health Care – Policy and Strategy reveal a rare alchemy of technical brilliance and public trust. His 2023 stint as PhilHealth’s Vice President for Primary Care and spokesperson saw him confront hospital payment delays, ensuring care reached patients, not just paperwork. Like the unsung heroes I champion, Domingo’s work shuns the spotlight but reshapes lives.

His global-local mastery sets him apart. As a World Health Organization (WHO) consultant, he crafted health financing reforms across the Western Pacific, slashing out-of-pocket costs to shield the vulnerable. Yet, his focus remains fiercely local, weaving ear and hearing care into primary health systems—a quiet but profound leap toward equity. This blend of international insight and grassroots action marks him as a reformer, dreaming big while delivering where it counts.

Steering Through Crisis with Unshakable Resolve

Domingo excels in the crucible of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he drove strategic purchasing reforms, sustaining essential services despite budget chaos, always prioritizing the poorest. When Usec. Eric Tayag retired, Domingo stepped into the DOH spokesperson role with seamless authority, stabilizing public health messaging amid upheaval. His calm in the storm embodies the pragmatic idealists I celebrate—leaders who rise when systems teeter.

A Crusader for Health Equity

Armed with a Chevening Scholarship and an MSc in Health Systems and Public Policy from the University of Edinburgh, Domingo’s intellectual firepower is unmatched. His UHC presentations, delivered at venues like the University of Santo Tomas, chart a bold course: redirect PhilHealth’s bloated administrative funds to patient care, potentially saving 2 million Filipinos from medical impoverishment annually. His push for decentralized governance ensures reforms reach rural barangays, not just Manila’s elite.

His rallying cry—“PhilHealth must shift funds from bureaucracy to bedside”—is a moral thunderbolt, echoing the justice-driven leaders I admire. Domingo’s vision isn’t mere policy; it’s a lifeline for a nation where health inequity steals dignity and hope.

Marcos’ Moment to Redefine Health Justice

President Marcos faces a pivotal choice: cling to a faltering status quo or elevate a leader whose career embodies UHC’s promise—equity, innovation, and accountability. Dr. Albert Francis Domingo’s 15 years of expertise, from WHO consultancies to DOH leadership, make him the ideal Undersecretary for Policy or Health Systems Development. His appointment would be a clarion call for a healthier, fairer Philippines. In a country where millions choose between medicine and meals, Domingo is the leader to end that cruel dilemma. The time to appoint him is now.