FEMALE lawmakers, health advocates, and medical experts are making a renewed push to strengthen the country’s defense against human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.
During the recent launch of the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas Asia-Pacific 2026 at the House of Representatives, leaders urged the national government to expand vaccination programs to include boys and better utilize Gender and Development (GAD) funds for cancer prevention.
The call comes as fresh regional data highlights a growing disconnect between government policies and actual health outcomes.
In the newly released Atlas, the Philippines earned an overall score of 71.6 percent—a “Good” rating—yet continues to trail behind several Southeast Asian neighbors.
Despite having established health policies on paper, actual coverage across the population remains low.
HPV vaccination coverage among eligible females in the Philippines stands under 30 percent, while participation in routine cervical cancer screening remains below 15 percent.
Human papillomavirus is a primary driver of cervical cancer, alongside several other genital and throat cancers.
Under current Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, free 4-valent HPV vaccines are distributed strictly to female public school students aged 9 to 14.
However, due to severe budgetary constraints, the program reaches less than 30 percent of its target demographic.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are roughly 6.7 million public schoolgirls within this age bracket.
To close this gap, health experts are advocating for a pivot toward a gender-neutral vaccination approach.
Neil Datta, Executive Director of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, emphasized that focusing solely on young females is insufficient to eradicate the virus.
“You can only achieve the elimination of HPV if you also vaccinate boys,” Datta noted during the forum.
He explained that boys carry and contract HPV-related cancers as well. Vaccinating males provides them direct protection while significantly lowering overall transmission across the broader population.
Beyond expanding target demographics, legislators are reviewing how existing public funds are spent.
Albay 1st District Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman, chair of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, argued that Congress must look beyond simple budget allocations.
“Funding alone is not enough,” Lagman stated. “The policy is only as good as the implementation. Even if it is good on paper… if there is funding but it is not used in the right and appropriate way, nothing will happen.”
Lagman urged government units to tap into mandatory Gender and Development (GAD) funds to cover cervical cancer screenings, early detection, and outreach.
She also called on PhilHealth to expand coverage for HPV prevention and treatment, mitigating out-of-pocket and transportation costs for low-income families in remote areas.
Representative Sarah Jane Elago and other forum delegates reinforced that future legislation must be data-driven and informed by the lived experiences of cancer survivors.
With strong policies already in place, lawmakers agreed that the urgent priority is translating budget line items into direct, accessible medical services for all young Filipinos.