BIÑAN CITY- A DOCTOR by profession, a "docto-preneur" by trade, Dr. Elvis Bedia is all set to enter a new field come next year: public service.
Dr. Bedia, who is now running for councilor of Biñan City, Laguna under the "LABarkada" ticket, hopes to bring both his expertise in medicine and business to further serve Biñanenses.
Hospital-builder
Dr. Bedia, who has practiced surgery for the past 28 years, is also part of a business group that has put up a string of hospitals in the first and second districts of Laguna.
"Ang doktor kasi ngayon, business-minded," "Doc Bedia," as he likes to be known, told OpinYon Laguna during a recent interview.
Among the medical centers he helped build include the present Ospital ng Biñan and the Ospital ng Cabuyao.
"Ngayon, we have ten hospitals na tinatayo namin." These hospitals include the “Unihealth” chain of private hospitals, including the Unihealth Southwoods Hospital where he served as president until this year,” he said.
Passion to learn
What makes a good "docto-preneur"? According to Doc Bedia, part of being successful in his field lies in extensive preparation and laying the groundwork for the success of his business.
"Hindi kami basta-basta pumapasok sa negosyo," he explained. "May sarili kaming mga business model, ways to handle stakeholders - and it's a must for us to study business."
Bedia himself earned a master's degree in Hospital Services Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University, as well as a Ph.D. in Business Management (to top off an academic record that began with a degree in Biology and Nursing.)
He is also a member of several leading medical societies both in Laguna province and in the country, as well as the American College of Surgeons.
“It has been my passion to learn,” he added.
Calling
Despite the fact that he might be called a “newbie” in the field of politics, Bedia already has had a taste of public service.
Not only was he among those who pushed for the construction of the Ospital ng Biñan (OsBin), he was also instrumental in securing over P8 million worth of medical supplies and equipment, as well as installing the first dialysis center in the city.
He also served as the hospital’s director from 2004 to 2007.
So why, after a successful career as a “docto-preneur,” did Bedia decide to enter the stormy world of local politics?
“It’s a calling, actually,” he replied, adding that Biñan City’s leaders had been urging him to go into public service for the past 20 years.
“Never did I say yes – until now.”
Despite his wide knowledge of medicine and business, Bedia has acknowledged that becoming a politician is a learning experience in itself.
Still, he says he is betting on three positive traits – planning, passion, and a business-minded outlook – to help him gain a seat at the city’s Sangguniang Panglungsod next year.