Even as torrential rains swept across the country and a government office suspension was announced, the work for better cancer control carried on.
We were honored to be among the selected participants of the Department of Health (DOH) – Philippine Cancer Center (PCC) in the “Policy Workshop on the Development of the Interim Guidelines for the National Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) – Batch 4”, held last July at Hotel Seoul, Clark Air Base.
This milestone workshop—Batch 4 of a multistakeholder effort—marks a critical step in implementing a standardized and interoperable cancer data system aligned with the mandates of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and DOH’s broader data governance reforms.
Why This Workshop Matters: Standardizing Cancer Data for the Nation
Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) are vital tools in enhancing patient care, advancing cancer research and surveillance, guiding quality control measures, supporting service planning, and contributing to national cancer statistics. They serve not only as institutional records but also as building blocks for policy-making and long-term healthcare planning.
Under Republic Act No. 11215 (NICCA), cancer—both adult and childhood—is designated as a notifiable disease, and all hospitals, including clinics, are mandated to maintain their own cancer registries. These registries must include detailed data such as patient identification, cancer type, treatment received, outcomes, and other essential variables prescribed by the DOH.
The PCC is mandated to act as the national repository of all cancer-related registries, generate analyses for research and strategic health policies, and lead the institutionalization of best practices and innovations in cancer control. Moreover, the Universal Health Care Act (RA No. 11223) requires that health-related data from both public and private sectors be submitted to the National Health Data Repository.
However, a 2021 scoping review conducted by PCC revealed challenges in data processing, completeness, and consistency across hospitals. One of the key findings was the lack of standardized data variables and processes, making it difficult to build a unified national picture of cancer incidence, outcomes, and trends.
In response, the DOH and PCC initiated a multi-phase, multistakeholder policy development process, culminating in the current workshop series, to roll out interim guidelines for HBCRs that will ensure completeness, usability, and interoperability of cancer data.
What the Interim Guidelines Aim to Achieve
The workshop aimed to finalize the interim policy circular, which provides:
- A set of standard minimum HBCR data variables for all hospitals to adopt
- A standardized process for collecting, recording, submitting, and reporting cancer data to the PCC
- A framework that ensures the reliability, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of cancer data
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for data completeness, quality, and timeliness
This initiative is a bold leap toward interoperable cancer data systems, capable of informing decisions at every level—from hospital treatment protocols to national health budgets.
A 3-Day Marathon of Ideas, Hospitality AND FOOD, FOOOD, FOOOOD
The policy deliberations stretched across three intensive days, filled with technical discussions, breakout working groups, draft reviews, and shared insights among colleagues from all over the country.
Yet amid the brain work, we found comfort and reprieve in the superb accommodations provided by Hotel Seoul, Clark Air Base. The hotel’s top-tier amenities gave everyone a well-deserved space to rest and recharge:
- Modern, spacious rooms with comfortable beds unlike the “SURVIVORSHIP SEMINARS” attended by Ate Nelia Medina
- Heated indoor pools, spas, and saunas perfect for unwinding
- Excellent cuisine, including Korean and KAPANGPANGAN dishes served buffet-style
- Fully equipped meeting rooms with internet
- A tranquil and secure environment conducive to focused and collaborative policymaking
The thoughtful venue selection ensured that the momentum of the workshop was matched by the well-being of its participants.
Kudos to the organizers!
Looking Ahead: Piloting and Publication
The workshop concluded with concrete next steps:
- August–September 2025: Pilot implementation of the revised Hospital-Based Cancer Registry Reporting Forms
- Post-pilot period: Consolidation of feedback and refinement of the draft policy circular
- First quarter of 2026: Submission of the final draft to the National Integrated Cancer Control Council (NICCC) and the DOH Executive Committee, followed by official publication
This phased implementation allows institutions to adjust gradually, provide valuable feedback, and ensure that the final guidelines are grounded in real-world application.
Batch 4 Participants
Batch 4 of the workshop included a dynamic group of experts and advocates, included (in no particular order):
- Philippine Cancer Center – Drs Carol Narra, Clar Cairo, Fred Pena, Kate Dumlao, Rem Valentin, Bien and Dans
- Philippine Cancer Society
- DOH Central – Atty Angeli Carpio-Doligon
- Ms Veck Arjona – I Can Serve
- Ms Nelia Medina of PAPO
- Ms Ramel Aguasin of Project Pink Support Group
- Hero of De Vera Medical Center in Santiago Isabela
- Ivy and Ruffa from Albay
- Solailah of General Santos Medical Center and Ionna of St Elizabeth Gen San
- Will from Our Lady of Mount Carmel… napakalayo..San Fernando Pampanga
- Regina Briones and Lorange from Candelaria Doctors Hospital
- Beth and Jem from St. PIO Medical Center… ang kaka IBA, Zambales
- Flor Caringal from St Cabrini Medical Center in Santo Tomas Batangas
- Neil Riverside Cancer Center in Bacolod and Iris from Iloilo Doctors Hospital
- and tatlo pa…. – I, me, myself
Each participant brought unique insights, experiences, and recommendations, enriching the draft with diverse, field-tested perspectives.
Final Thoughts
This workshop on cancer registry is more than a policy exercise—it’s a critical investment in the future of cancer care in the Philippines. With clear guidelines and reliable cancer data, we can ensure that every Filipino—regardless of income or location—receives timely, evidence-based, and equitable cancer care.
We are proud to contribute to this important national movement and reaffirm our commitment to supporting DOH – PCC, and all stakeholders in advancing cancer control through data, collaboration, and innovation.
Together, we move a step closer to a cancer-resilient Philippines.
