The Baguio City Council has approved on third and final reading an ordinance establishing the Baguio City Integrated Cancer Control Program to provide a city-wide approach to cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship.
Authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, the ordinance seeks to ensure that Baguio residents have access to effective cancer prevention in order to improve the survivorship and quality of life for cancer patients while minimizing the financial and emotional burden on patients and their families.
The ordinance mandates the city government to establish a comprehensive cancer control program that integrates various health services and initiatives to prevent cancer. This program will facilitate the conduct of city-wide screening and vaccination, establish multidisciplinary cancer care teams, and create digital registries for cancer data and screening results.
The City Health Services Offices (CHSO), in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) and other stakeholders, is responsible for developing and implementing the cancer control program.
Mechanisms will be put in place to link patients with financial support from various government and private sources, such as PhilHealth, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCS), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This initiative will reduce the financial burden on patients and ensure that they receive timely and appropriate care without facing exorbitant costs.
A cancer control coordinator will be appointed tol oversee the execution of the program across all city-operated health facilities and the 16 district health centers in the city.
A Baguio City Integrated Cancer Control Council (BCICCC) will be created composed of city officials, health experts, and representatives from various sectors including accredited cancer control sites and patient support organizations. The city mayor will serve as the chairperson with the city health services office as the vice chairperson.
The BCICCC will formulate policies to enhance coordination among stakeholders and oversee the development of integrated and responsive cancer control policies tailored to the city’s specific needs.
Aside from health and literacy campaigns to raise awareness about cancer prevention, training of healthcare providers in the city will be provided to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver efficient cancer care.
Psychosocial support mechanisms will be established for cancer patients, survivors, and their families to address challenges associated with cancer and improve the overall quality of life for cancer patients by strengthening support from the community.
The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office to be signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong before its implementation. Baguio City – Sangguniang Panlungsod Release
