NAGA CITY, Philippines — The city government of Naga City will conduct a Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit on May 20 this year at Summit Hotel Naga to further strengthen its advocacy against the disease and adopt direct strategies for its eradication through a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach.

Mayor Leni Robredo said the dreaded disease—considered the second leading cause of death among women, especially in communities that lack awareness or understanding of how to address it—can be eliminated if properly managed.

She said the advocacy is being pursued in partnership with MSD Philippines, a pharmaceutical firm.

The mayor added that at least 400 participants are expected to attend the summit, most of whom are Barangay Health Workers and other community volunteers. “We are expecting that these volunteer workers will bring to residents in their respective villages the learnings, know-how, and awareness they will gain from the summit,” she said.

Robredo also emphasized the importance of helping participants understand the hardships and suffering experienced by cervical cancer patients so they will recognize the need to undergo preventive measures such as vaccination and regular screening.

She said the advocacy is being advanced with the active support of the Public Information Division of the City Mayor’s Office, members of the Naga City Hall Press Corps, and personnel from various media outfits in the city.

She added that the city government, through the City Health Office I, aims to reduce cervical cancer cases, underscoring the need for massive and widespread dissemination of relevant information. I via Jason Neola