A Soft Opening Marking a New Chapter in Women’s Health
Marikina City officially marked the soft opening of its “Libreng Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening” program, now set to run every Thursday, ushering in a strengthened commitment to women’s health and early cancer detection.
This initiative is particularly historic for the city as it introduces, for the first time, a scope-based Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) program. More than a clinical upgrade, it represents a collaborative movement designed to run for one full year, with the long-term goal of expanding services—if needed—to every rural health center in Marikina.
Building Capacity Through Collaboration
At the heart of the program is a strong emphasis on capacity building.
City Health Officer Dr. Christopher “Opet” Guevarra laid out a clear and forward-thinking strategy: every midwife in the city will be given the opportunity to learn and operate the scope through a rotational system. Rather than limiting the technology to a select few, the city is democratizing access to skills and training.
During the soft opening, the End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization Inc. (ECCPOI) team carefully demonstrated each step of the procedure—from patient preparation and proper visualization techniques to documentation and counseling. Initial cases were meticulously supervised to ensure safety, quality, and confidence-building.
After handling a number of guided patients, midwives will gradually take full control of the scope themselves. Rotational midwives and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) were also requested to assist the ECCPOI team during this transition phase, strengthening teamwork and community engagement.
This structured mentorship model aims to:
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Increase screening capacity across the city
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Ensure consistent quality of VIA procedures
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Empower frontline healthcare workers
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Significantly boost community screening rates
Oversight of the screening activities was led by Marikina City Cancer Control Chair and OB-Gyne, Dr. Manuel “Manolet” Loveria, ensuring that clinical standards and patient safety remained paramount.
A Meaningful International Exchange
A special and rare visitor added depth to the occasion—Dr. Linda Caringal, an OB-Gyne serving the Bunong indigenous communities in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia, and someone very dear to Dr. Bogs Rivera.
In Cambodia, Dr. Caringal leads breast and cervical cancer awareness and prevention campaigns among indigenous populations with limited healthcare access. Her mission, as she shared, is to provide individuals and families with critical, life-saving information and tools to support early detection and improved health outcomes.
The three doctors—Dr. Guevarra, Dr. Loveria, and Dr. Rivera—engaged in an inspiring exchange of ideas, comparing healthcare delivery models and exploring ways to further improve screening services across countries. The discussion underscored a shared regional commitment to eliminating preventable deaths from cervical cancer.
Media Support and Future Engagement
Dr. Bogs Rivera would like to sincerely thank Ms. Mae Binauhan of DZRH for sending colleagues to cover and report the activities on teleradio. While the group was not yet fully prepared to announce expanded details of the program, we humbly ask for understanding as we continue refining operational workflows.
We are hopeful for a re-run feature during Women’s Month next month, where we aim to have the City Health Officer present to personally share his vision, enthusiasm, and call for more women to participate in the screening program.
Partners Exploring Future Innovations
The soft opening also welcomed several distinguished visitors who expressed interest in supporting women’s health initiatives in the future.
We extend our gratitude to Mr. Jun Aquino and Mr. Christian Yap for dropping by and exploring potential collaborations. Their work on a wound dressing innovation using coconut cellulose nanotechnology—known as the “Coco Patch”—has shown promising results in managing burns, diabetic wounds, and pressure ulcers due to its natural antibacterial properties.
The same scientific principles behind Coco Patch may hold potential applications in women’s reproductive health, offering exciting possibilities for improving tissue healing and overall wellness. Conversations are ongoing as we explore how innovation and women’s health can intersect meaningfully.
We also thank Ms. Janice B. Berte for her presence and continued support in assisting the LGU with digitalization efforts—at no cost to the government. Digital health systems will play a critical role in tracking patients, monitoring outcomes, and ensuring sustainability of the program.
A Movement in Motion
The soft opening of “Libreng Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening” is not simply a weekly service launch—it is the beginning of a coordinated, multi-sectoral movement toward stronger cancer prevention in Marikina.
With innovation in tools, mentorship in training, civic and media engagement, and potential technological partnerships on the horizon, the city is laying a solid foundation for sustainable, community-based cancer control.
Every Thursday now carries renewed hope—
Hope that more women will come forward.
Hope that more health workers will gain confidence.
Hope that prevention will become the norm, not the exception.
