The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), in partnership with the Department of Health Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH MMCHD) successfully conducted a three-day training program from April 28 to 30, 2026. Held at the Ciudad Cristhia Resort in San Mateo, Rizal, this initiative brought together Metro Manila Local Government Unit (LGU) Cancer Coordinators and health officers to support the establishment of structured, community-level cancer patient navigation programs.
In a major step toward decentralized cancer care, the DOH MMCHD partnered with the PCS to host an intensive community patient navigation training. The program focused on providing LGU cancer coordinators with a strong background in patient navigation, ensuring they are prepared to guide patients through every stage of their cancer journey. Beyond the basics, the training provided the practical knowledge and tools necessary for coordinators to design and launch their own community-based navigation programs. Sessions led by the Philippine Cancer Society’s Executive Action Team, Dr. Maricar Sabeniano and Mr. Romeo Marcaida, covered history, core principles, alignment with the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, how to set up patient navigation programs, barrier identification, resource mapping, and the use of the PCS playbook for intake and follow-up. By the end of the program, participants had gained real-world insight through workshops and a site visit to a successful navigation program in Taguig City, empowering them to bring these vital services to their local communities.
The goal of the PCS is a comprehensive, Metro Manila-wide network that supports every Filipino family, ensuring no one faces the cancer journey alone.
Bridging the Gap: Navigating Toward Better Cancer Outcomes for Every Filipino
