Naga to host cervical cancer summit on May 20

With the May 20, 2026 schedule fast approaching, the city government of Naga City is ramping up preparations for the City-Wide Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit in partnership with MSD Philippines at the Summit Hotel Naga.

Billed under the theme “Cervical Cancer-Free Naga: A Vision of Health, Hope, and Awareness,” the whole-day summit from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. aims to mobilize government agencies, healthcare providers, schools, and community groups toward a unified push against cervical cancer.

Mayor Leni Robredo renewed her call for public support, stressing that prevention remains key to saving lives.

“Cervical cancer is preventable, yet it continues to claim lives. We need to strengthen awareness, encourage vaccination, and make screening more accessible so that no woman is left behind,” Robredo said.

Local health data show persistent gaps in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening. While thousands of eligible girls have been targeted in recent years, many have yet to complete the full course of vaccination. Screening among women aged 30 to 49 also remains critically low, leaving many cases undetected until later stages.

These figures place the city below the targets set by the World Health Organization, which calls for 90 percent HPV vaccination coverage among girls aged 9 to 14, 70 percent screening among women, and 90 percent treatment of pre-cancerous conditions.

Organizers said the summit will serve as a critical platform to align local strategies with these global standards. Discussions will focus on improving vaccine uptake, expanding screening programs, enhancing surveillance systems, and ensuring equitable access to treatment services.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the Philippines, despite being largely preventable through early vaccination and timely screening.

By convening key stakeholders, the city government hopes to institutionalize a more aggressive and coordinated response, paving the way for a sustainable, evidence-based program that protects women and girls and moves Naga closer to the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.

ALLIES FOR HEALTH Mayor Leni Robredo (center) joins representatives of MSD Philippines—Ana de Jesus, access program team manager; Carolyn Bayabos, access program team manager; Dr. Sofia Ampo, market access manager; Marian Cuevas, communication and patient engagement lead; and Cristan Agaceta, market access lead—in a unified push for the successful staging of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit on May 20, 2026. Also in the photo are ANN news anchor Rizza Mostar-Santos; Naga City Hall Press Corps president Mike Marfega; Bong Villacruz of News BUZZ; Jason Neola, head of the Public Information Division of the City Mayor’s Office; Dr. Ronnel Mejaro; and Maria Luisa Camano Patanao, RN. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to protect women’s health through stronger awareness, vaccination, and screening initiatives. Photo courtesy of Winson Escolano/CMO