Sto. Tomas, Batangas, is spearheading an ambitious public health initiative aimed at combating cervical cancer through its specialized human papillomavirus (HPV) catch-up vaccination program.
Dubbed “SHEmpre Ligtas: Sapat na Kaalaman ng Kabataan sa Malusog na Hinaharap”, the program focuses on vaccinating 14-year-old girls, complementing the Department of Health’s (DOH) existing immunization program.
This landmark initiative forms part of the city’s broader Cancer Control Program, enacted in April this year under Ordinance No. 2024-065, which institutionalizes efforts to prevent, detect, and treat various types of cancer, including cervical cancer.
Filling critical gaps in immunization
Recognizing the urgency, the LGU led by Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan, Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurige-Perez and the City Council procured 1,763 additional doses of HPV vaccines to complement the Department of Health’s (DOH) allocation to ensure that girls aged 9 to 14 are fully protected against cervical cancer.
Photo shows Mayor Arth Jhun Marasign (6th from left), together with Andreas Riedel (7th from left), the President and Managing Director of MSD in the Philippines, during the HPV immunization drive in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Joining them in photo are Dr. Arnielyn Aguirre (8th from left), Sto. Tomas Health Education and Promotion Unit (HEPU) Adviser, Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurige-Perez (5th from left), and members of the City Council of Sto. Tomas.
In his speech at the program launch, he stressed the importance of acting decisively to protect young girls before they reach the age of 15, at which point more expensive and logistically demanding three-dose regimens are required.
“When I first assumed office, there were no dedicated cancer prevention programs in our city. Cervical cancer claims the lives of 12 women every day in our country despite being preventable. This initiative ensures that every Tomasino girl has access to life-saving vaccines,” Mayor Marasigan said.
The Sto. Tomas LGU procured 1,763 vaccine doses to help complement the DOH’s supply, ensuring comprehensive coverage for unvaccinated girls aged 9 to 14. The event concluded with the signing of a Position Statement of the City of Sto. Tomas for the “SHEmpre Ligtas Unified Commitment for a Cervical Cancer-free Generation” led by the mayor and the city council.
The event was the second time that the Sto. Tomas LGU had undertaken an HPV immunization campaign for school children. Back in 2022, a similar activity was undertaken under the school-based immunization program of the Department of Health and Department of Education, but only students aged 9 to 11 were administered the vaccine.
Why focus on 14-year-olds
Dr. Arnielyn Aguirre, a physician and Health Education Promotion Unit (HEPU) Adviser at the LGU’s Cancer Control Program, highlighted the strategic focus on 14-year-olds during the program launch.
“Targeting 14-year-old girls is crucial because they are often left out of the earlier vaccination drives. This program bridges that gap, ensuring full protection before the age threshold of 15, when the regimen becomes more complex,” Dr. Aguirre explained.
Dr. Arnielyn Aguirre (front row, left, standing), Sto. Tomas Health Education and Promotion Unit (HEPU) Adviser, is shown here together with the student beneficiaries of HPV vaccines courtesy of Mayor Arth Jhun Marasign (standing, 2nd from left), Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurige-Perez (standing 4th from left), and members of the City Council of Sto. Tomas. At the back (far left, standing) is Andreas Riedel, the President and Managing Director of MSD in the Philippines.
Vice Mayor Jaurige-Perez, for her part, underscored the program’s long-term vision of achieving a 90% vaccination rate among the city’s eligible population within three years. “With strong political will and community involvement, we can vaccinate 9 to 14-year-olds and fight cervical cancer more effectively,” she said.
The SHEmpre Ligtas program is part of the LGU’s comprehensive Student Health Education Program (SHEProgram), led by the HEPU. This initiative focuses on equipping young girls with the knowledge and confidence to prioritize their health, and aligns with the nationwide school-based immunization program (SBI) of the government, which was relaunched in October this year, to focus on providing Grade 4 female students with two doses of the HPV vaccine, six months apart, as a proven strategy to maximize protection.
Last year, the SHEProgram introduced period kits for Grade 6 and 7 students, normalizing menstruation and encouraging girls to stay in school. The HPV vaccination drive has since built on these efforts, in the process fostering a culture of preventive healthcare among adolescents.
“Education and early intervention are key,” Dr. Aguirre said, “and we aim to empower young women with knowledge and tools they need to lead healthy lives.” During the event, Dr. Aguirre also called it an early Christmas gift and expressed gratitude to parents and teachers for their role in promoting the initiative, putting special emphasis on the importance of education in dispelling myths about vaccines.
“Vaccines do not kill; they save lives,” she affirmed. “This is a great holiday gift – the gift of health — from the city government. The HPV vaccine, which costs up to P 4,000 per dose in private clinics, is now being offered here for free to all 14-year-old girls in Sto. Tomas.”
Partnerships and sustainability
Recognizing the need for sustainable cancer prevention and treatment efforts, Sto. Tomas has forged partnerships with private organizations and healthcare providers like CervQ and MSD in the Philippines. The LGU has also partnered with the Global Health Bay Cancer Institute in Laguna, ensuring access to advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Photo shows a bird’s eye view of Mayor Arth Jhun Marasign (onstage, foreground) as he delivers his keynote speech during the “SHEmpre Ligtas: Sapat na Kaalaman ng Kabataan sa Malusog na Hinaharap” HPV vaccination activity held at the Sto. Tomas City Hall in Batangas.
“We are building a network of public and private health facilities to make preventive care and treatment accessible to all,” Dr. Aguirre noted. “This is essential not only for cervical cancer but for other types of cancer as well.”
Mayor Marasigan, for his part, stressed the importance of institutionalizing cancer prevention programs to ensure their continuity beyond his administration. The local ordinance guarantees sustainable funding and support for initiatives like SHEmpre Ligtas.
Sto. Tomas’ innovative approach has drawn attention from other local government units and national health organizations. The city regularly shares its best practices at health forums, inspiring others to adopt similar initiatives. “Our goal is to help eliminate cervical cancer in Sto. Tomas by 2030, aligning with the WHO’s global strategy,” he said, “and Sto. Tomas is proof that localized healthcare solutions can make a significant impact,” Mayor Marasigan said. “We hope to set an example for other LGUs to follow.”
With education, vaccination, and treatment as its pillars, the SHEmpre Ligtas program represents a bold step toward a cervical cancer-free future.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by Cervical Cancer Patient.
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