In a groundbreaking move that puts women’s health at the center of public service, the Municipality of Cuenca, Batangas has officially launched its speculoscope-assisted VIA Screening (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) program to combat and eliminate cervical cancer. Under the proactive leadership of Municipal Health Officer Dr. Carolina Cuevas, Cuenca is among the first municipalities in the region to adopt this innovative method of cervical screening—one that blends compassion, technology, and empowerment.
Cervical cancer claims the lives of 12 Filipino women every day, even though it is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. This stark reality has inspired health leaders across the country to intensify their fight against this silent killer. Cuenca is taking a bold step forward—not only by screening more women but by redefining how screening is done.
A Game-Changer: The Speculoscope-Assisted VIA Screening Advantage
The use of a speculoscope in VIA screening marks a major advancement over traditional naked-eye inspection. While VIA has long been a staple of cervical cancer prevention in low-resource settings, it depends heavily on the examiner’s visual acuity and experience. With a speculoscope, images of the cervix are captured using a small camera and LED illumination, providing clearer and more accurate visuals for clinical assessment.
This improvement doesn’t just benefit the healthcare provider—it empowers the patient.
For the first time, women can see images of their own cervix, discuss the findings with a trained professional, and understand what is happening inside their body. This transparency removes fear and builds trust, helping to destigmatize cervical health and encourage more women to get screened.
Empowerment Through Technology
The Cuenca program doesn’t stop at visual inspection. The entire process is built around a user-friendly, digital platform developed in partnership with End Cervical Cancer Philippines Inc. (CerviQ), DOST – Advanced Science and Technology Institute, and AALJ Medical Supplies Corporation.
Women can now register themselves for screening, have their cervix imaged and evaluated, and receive results in real-time. More importantly, they can access their own screening records securely online, making the process more transparent and informative.
This system also facilitates better clinical decisions. Health workers and partner physicians can review images remotely, track patient follow-up, and monitor lesion progression over time, enabling earlier intervention when necessary.
Reports can also be automatically generated and submitted to the Department of Health, streamlining administrative requirements and making data more accessible for health planners. This feedback loop improves accountability and strengthens the municipality’s ability to monitor and improve women’s health outcomes.
HPV Vaccination: Prevention at the Source
In tandem with the cervical screening campaign, Cuenca’s municipal government has also procured its own supply of the HPV quadrivalent vaccine (HPV4). Thanks to the visionary leadership of Mayor Hon. Alexander Magpantay and the support of the Sangguniang Bayan and other municipal officials, this local investment shows a deep commitment to protecting the next generation from HPV-related diseases.
The vaccination component is seamlessly integrated into the screening flow. Before or after undergoing screening, parents and young women are educated about the role of HPV in causing cervical cancer, and the importance of vaccination is emphasized. This holistic approach—screening paired with vaccination and education—creates an environment where women are not just treated as patients but as informed partners in their own healthcare.
With the availability of the HPV4 vaccine, the municipality is one step closer to achieving the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 targets for cervical cancer elimination: 90% of girls fully vaccinated by age 15, 70% of women screened by age 35 and again by 45, and 90% of women with pre-cancer or cancer receiving treatment.
Local Ownership, Lasting Impact
The success of this program lies in its community-based ownership. The speculoscope device will remain in Cuenca until December, allowing for continuous and expanded cervical cancer screening throughout the municipality. This extended presence enables health workers to conduct more outreach campaigns, visit barangays, and ensure that no woman is left behind.
Health facilities are now equipped with both the technology and the training to offer this improved method of care. Dr. Cuevas and her team at the Municipal Health Office have already begun integrating the screening into regular health services, reaching out to women across age groups, especially those between 25 to 55 years old, where the risk is highest.
This effort is a clear example of how municipal action, when paired with the right tools and committed partners, can transform public health outcomes.
A Model for Other Municipalities
The Cuenca model is replicable and scalable. It shows that even in smaller municipalities, cervical cancer prevention can be modernized, digitized, and localized—with the right willpower, partnerships, and prioritization of women’s health.
By leveraging local government support, tapping into national technology agencies, and working with advocacy organizations, Cuenca has built a high-impact, low-cost model that can be adopted by other LGUs across the country.
More importantly, Cuenca has shown that empowering women to take charge of their own reproductive health is the most sustainable path to eliminating cervical cancer.
A Shared Commitment to End Cervical Cancer
This pioneering project would not have been possible without the collaboration between:
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End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization Inc. (CerviQ) – providing advocacy, training, and platform support;
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DOST – Advanced Science and Technology Institute – contributing to digital innovation;
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AALJ Medical Supplies Corporation. – supplying the technology and coordinating community-level implementation.
Together with the Municipality of Cuenca, this partnership is not just launching a program. It is building a legacy—one where cervical cancer no longer defines the future of women in Batangas, or anywhere in the Philippines.
