Cancer Screening and Prevention, Partnerships and Collaborations, Prevention and Screening, Public, Training and Capacity Building

Carles Prepares for a Landmark HR HPV-DNA Rollout: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Hope

Carles Prepares for a Landmark HR HPV-DNA Rollout: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Hope 1
11
Dec

CARLES, ILOILO –  Today marked an important milestone for the Municipality of Carles as facilitators, health leaders, and partners gathered for the final coordination meeting ahead of tomorrow’s HR HPV-DNA screening rollout—a program that promises to transform how cervical cancer prevention is delivered at the grassroots level.

Held with the full support of the LGU of Carles, the meeting brought together local implementers, national experts, and civil society—each one committed to ensuring that every woman in Carles has access to life-saving screening and information.

Morning Sessions: Foundations of a Successful Rollout

The morning opened with powerhouse speakers from the Western Visayas Medical Center and the Department of Health–Western Visayas Center for Health Development, who offered deep insights into the clinical, operational, and community pathways required for a successful HPV-DNA rollout.

Carles Prepares for a Landmark HR HPV-DNA Rollout: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Hope 2
Dr Bogs Rivera with Dr. Arnold Liwag

Expert Resource Speakers

  • Dr. Arnold Liwag, OB-Oncology

  • Dr. Aura Marie Grijalvo-Tirasol, Obstetrician-Gynecologist

Carles Prepares for a Landmark HR HPV-DNA Rollout: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Hope 3
Dr. Bogs Rivera with Dr .Aura Marie Grijalvo-Tirasol and Dr. Vanessa Dolendo-Garcia

  • Dr. Vanessa Dolendo-Garcia, Obstetrician-Gynecologist

  • John Patrick Lapascua and Mr. Ralph Fuentes, DOH-WV CHD

Their lectures covered a remarkable breadth of essential topics:

  • Preconditions and readiness for rollout

  • Best practices for community informational campaigns

  • Organizing service delivery units and health teams

  • A deeper examination of cervical cancer and HPV epidemiology

  • Hands-on HPV training, breast screening, and proper encoding using the iSCERV tool

The atmosphere was a blend of urgency and optimism—urgency because cervical cancer continues to claim the lives of Filipino women; optimism because Carles is taking concrete steps to change that narrative.

Carles Prepares for a Landmark HR HPV-DNA Rollout: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Hope 4

Carles Prepares for a Landmark HR HPV-DNA Rollout: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Hope 5

Afternoon Sessions: Refining the Workflow for Tomorrow’s Big Day

The afternoon focused squarely on the logistics and step-by-step walkthrough of the rollout to ensure seamless operations tomorrow. Teams meticulously reviewed:

  • Registration and flow of participants

  • Distribution and labeling of HPV kits

  • Proper specimen collection and handling

  • Documentation using LGU-aligned tools

  • Patient education touchpoints

  • Referral and escalation pathways

Each unit—from barangay health workers to midwives, nurses, and the SUCCESS Team—came out of the meeting more confident and aligned, ready to serve the women of Carles with efficiency and compassion. The afternoon team were led by:

  • Dr Ninylyn Calicaran
  • Ms Jeny Ann Aguero
  • Ms Mercy Rose Catedral

Carles Prepares for a Landmark HR HPV-DNA Rollout: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Hope 6

A Personal Note of Gratitude

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Menchie and Jun of the Cancer Warriors Foundation for inviting me to take part in this extraordinary initiative. What they do beautifully complements our mission at CerviQ—and joining forces only strengthens the impact we hope to create for Filipino women.

Today also gave me the privilege once again to learn from my mentor, Dr. Cecilia Llave, honored as one of the Top Ten Most Outstanding Filipino Doctors of 2025. Her wisdom, kindness, and relentless pursuit of cervical cancer elimination continue to shape not only the national landscape but also my own journey.

Our work on speculoscope-assisted AI is just one tool in the larger fight. The true force, the real inspiration, comes from people like Dr. Cecille Llave and Ms. Menchie—women whose compassion and dedication know no boundaries.

Saludo po ako sa inyong kagalingan, puso, at paninindigan para sa ating mga kababaihang biktima ng kanser.
Together, let us work toward a Philippines free from cervical cancer.

Warm Thanks to the LGU of Carles

My deepest appreciation also goes to the three Municipal Health Officers of Carles and the entire Carles SUCCESS Team, who welcomed me so warmly today. Your enthusiasm and commitment reflect the strength of this municipality—one that is determined to protect its women and uplift its communities.

I apologize for not being able to complete the list of names during the session, but I will update this blog as soon as they are confirmed.

Tomorrow, November 12, 2025, Carles makes history.

A new chapter in cervical cancer prevention begins—and I am grateful, honored, and humbled to be part of it.

Jesus Randy RIvera

A graduate of the esteemed Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Dr. Rivera is a radiation oncologist by profession, equipped with specialized training in IMRT and prostate brachytherapy. His expertise has been honed through experiences at renowned institutions such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and the Chicago Prostate Center in Chicago, among others. However, his contributions extend far beyond the clinical realm. Dr Bogs Rivera is the visionary founder of CerviQ, an advocacy group passionately committed to eradicating cervical cancer in the Philippines. Through innovative screening programs, leveraging artificial intelligence and remote diagnostic technologies, CerviQ strives to increase access to cervical cancer screenings in communities, facilitating early detection and potentially life-saving interventions. His leadership not only empowers healthcare professionals but also empowers communities, enabling barangay health workers to conduct screenings efficiently and accurately, with rapid turnaround times for results. Dr. Bogs Rivera embodies the intersection of medical expertise and humanitarianism, dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes and championing the cause of public health in the Philippines.