Benjhoe Empedrado

Public health leader with expertise in health promotion, policy development, strategic communication, and multi-sectoral governance.

Former

Officer-in-Charge, Division Chief of the Department of Health's Healthy Settings Division, where I led nationwide initiatives on Healthy Communities, Healthy Learning Institutions, and Healthy Workplaces. Experienced in designing evidence-based programs, building cross-sector partnerships, managing national implementation, and translating research into policy and practice.

Division Chief, Healthy Settings Division (Health Promotion Bureau) at Department of Health, Philippines (2024-01 – Present)

• Provide strategic leadership for the Healthy Settings Division, overseeing the national Healthy Communities, Healthy Learning Institutions, and Healthy Workplaces programs.
• Lead multi-sectoral governance mechanisms involving national government agencies, local governments, development partners, civil society organizations, and academic institutions.
• Coordinate policy and program alignment across education, workplace, and community settings to promote health, wellbeing, and supportive environments.
• Direct nationwide implementation of Healthy Communities initiatives in 121 provinces and cities nationwide; of Healthy Learning Institutions initiatives in approximately 5,000 schools nationwide; and of Healthy Workplaces initiatives in approximately 900 workplaces nationwide.
• Lead the development and scale-up of Health Promotion Playbooks and implementation tools that support healthy behaviors and healthy environments.
• Manage division planning, budgeting, procurement, monitoring, and performance management processes.
• Develop strategic partnerships with organizations including UNICEF, WHO, Jhpiego, and Save the Children Philippines.
• Lead development of communication campaigns, implementation guides, multimedia resources, and technical materials supporting health promotion priorities.
• Serve as resource speaker and representative of the Department in national and local stakeholder engagements.
• Provide technical supervision and mentorship to division staff and regional counterparts.
• Oversee compliance with ISO quality management systems and continuous improvement initiatives.

Medical Officer III – Healthy Communities Portfolio Team Lead at Department of Health, Philippines (2021-01 – 2024-12)

• Led the rollout of the Healthy Communities framework across LGUs, supporting integration of health promotion into local development plans, ordinances, and service delivery platforms
• Managed coordination with national government agencies and local stakeholders to implement community-based interventions on nutrition, healthy public open spaces, active transport, handwashing, tobacco control, and mental health
• Conducted formative research and scoping of best practices to inform development of health promotion programs tailored to local contexts
• Developed and piloted evidence-based programs, content, and program tools (e.g., Health Promotion Playbooks, implementation guides, IEC materials), translating research and global best practices into practical guidance for LGUs, including those targeting children and adolescents
• Provided technical assistance to DOH Centers for Health Development and LGUs in program planning, budgeting, and monitoring, including facilitation of workshops, planning sessions, and field validation visits
• Facilitated engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs), academe, community leaders, and local partners to co-develop culturally appropriate health programs and campaigns
• Led the national recognition and assessment process for Healthy Communities, including development of criteria and validation mechanisms, resulting in three LGUs being awarded and nationally recognized for exemplary implementation of health promotion initiatives
• Contributed to monitoring and evaluation of the Local Health System Maturity Level (LHS-ML) framework, supporting data analysis, reporting, and documentation of best practices to guide implementation of Universal Health Care at the local level

Medical Officer III at Makati City Health Department (2021-01 – 2021-12)

• Monitored and managed COVID-19 patients under home isolation, providing clinical guidance, teleconsultations, and follow-up care
• Coordinated with LGU health teams to facilitate referral and access to necessary medical and social services
• Served as screening physician during the LGU COVID-19 vaccination rollout, assessing patient eligibility, managing pre-vaccination evaluation, and ensuring safe vaccine administration

Master of Medical Anthropology in Medical Anthropology – University of the Philippines Manila (2023-01 – 2026-12)

Doctor of Medicine – Master of Business Administration in Medicine, Business Administration – Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (2015-01 – 2020-12)

Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences, minor in Ecology and Systematics – Ateneo de Manila University (2010-01 – 2015-12)

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, tracks in Information Design and Creative Writing (Playwriting) – Ateneo de Manila University (2010-01 – 2015-12)

High School – Roosevelt College Cubao (2006-01 – 2010-12)