MANILA, Philippines – AIA Philippines, The Medical City (TMC), ABS-CBN Foundation, and the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, have partnered to provide free breast cancer screening to 100 public school teachers through the Hope Mobi Clinic program.

Held in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the initiative aims to make preventive healthcare more accessible to women educators. By bringing screening services directly to their community, the program helps address common barriers to healthcare, including costs, travel time, and limited access to medical facilities.

The collaboration was also formalized through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the organizations’ shared commitment to expand access to breast health services and strengthen community-based preventive care.

Promoting Early Breast Cancer Detection

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the Philippines. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Global Cancer Observatory, the country recorded an estimated 28,000 new breast cancer cases in 2024, accounting for approximately 32% of all new cancer cases among Filipino women. The report also estimated 11,160 breast cancer deaths during the same year.

Early detection is essential because breast cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms during its initial stages. Access to screening, timely diagnosis, and appropriate medical care can help women take informed steps toward protecting their health.

Through the Hope Mobi Clinic, participating teachers received breast cancer screening in a mobile clinical setting. The program also provided opportunities to learn more about breast health, preventive care, and the importance of seeking medical advice when necessary.

“Teachers dedicate themselves to caring for others, inspiring potential, shaping character, and helping build the future through every life they touch. We want to help educators take care of their own health by making preventive breast cancer screening more accessible and encouraging them to take action early with confidence and courage,” said Melita Teo, president and CEO of AIA Philippines.

Teo added that the initiative supports the company’s purpose of helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives, while encouraging women to prioritize their well-being.

Supporting Teachers Through Community Healthcare

The partnership also highlights the importance of investing in educators’ health, who play a vital role in developing future generations.

Levi Grace Ambon-Rota, head of the ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Bata program, said the collaboration reflects the foundation’s commitment to community well-being and supporting people who contribute to their communities every day.

By working with AIA Philippines, The Medical City, and DepEd, the foundation aims to help more women educators access health services that support their personal well-being and professional responsibilities.

Merlita Ynciong, senior education program specialist at the DepEd Division of San Jose del Monte, also emphasized the value of health education and preventive care for teachers.

She thanked the partner organizations for supporting educators’ welfare and helping them take charge of their health while continuing to guide and inspire their students.

Free Health Checks and Additional Community Support

Beyond breast cancer screening, participants received additional health services from The Medical City, including blood typing, blood pressure monitoring, and blood sugar testing.

The local government unit also provided grocery supply packages to support the participating teachers.

These services broadened the initiative’s reach by addressing other aspects of preventive healthcare and providing practical assistance to community members.

Dr. Carlo Angelo Cajucom, director of The Medical City’s Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute, highlighted the importance of making screening services more accessible.

“Early detection can change a patient’s health journey. Through Hope Mobi Clinic, we bring screening closer to communities so more women can take an important step toward protecting their health,” he said.

Hope Mobi Clinic Continues Its Community Outreach

AIA Philippines and The Medical City have operated the Hope Mobi Clinic initiative since 2023, bringing breast cancer screening services closer to underserved communities.

The mobile clinic helps women access screening in more convenient locations and provides guidance on breast health and, when needed, follow-up care.

The program also complements AIA Philippines’ Rethink Healthy campaign, which promotes a broader understanding of well-being. The campaign encourages people to consider physical health, mental well-being, financial security, and a sense of purpose as interconnected parts of a healthier life.

Through the latest initiative in San Jose del Monte, the four partner organizations demonstrated how collaboration among private companies, healthcare providers, foundations, and government institutions can help address gaps in preventive healthcare.

For Filipino women, initiatives that improve access to screening and health education reinforce an important message: prioritizing personal health is essential, and seeking appropriate medical advice early can be an important step toward better health outcomes.

The Hope Mobi Clinic program continues to support this goal by bringing breast health services closer to communities, including the educators who help shape the future of the Philippines.

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