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Jhpiego

DepEd and Jhpiego equip teachers with new resource on HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention

by Contributor June 19, 2026

written by Contributor

PASIG CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) recently held a hybrid orientation and consultation with representatives from various Central Office bureaus and all 18 regional offices, including the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on the use of a new cervical cancer prevention and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination resource booklet designed for teachers and education support personnel. The activity was conducted at the Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila in Pasig City.

The Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division, in partnership with Jhpiego Philippines and with support from the HPV Vaccination Acceleration Program Partners Initiative (HAPPI) Consortium, led the development of the resource booklet, Guro Laban sa Cervical Cancer. This resource aims to equip educators with accurate and evidence-based information on cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination.

The resource booklet will be made available as a self-paced online learning supplementary material for teachers and education support personnel. It covers key information on both primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, including HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and treatment options for precancerous lesions and early-stage cervical cancer.

The resource also provides information on available screening methods, including visual inspection with acetic acid, Pap smear testing, and HPV DNA testing, helping educators better understand the continuum of cervical cancer prevention and care.

“Teachers and education support personnel play a critical role in supporting parents and learners with accurate health information. Aside from health workers, they are among the most accessible and trusted sources of information for parents seeking guidance on HPV vaccination,” said Atty. Razzel Requesto, Director IV at the Bureau of Learner Support Services.

The resource was developed with technical recommendations from the Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD), Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR), Public Affairs Service (PAS), and the Employees Welfare Division (EWD) of the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development (BHROD), with guidance from the Department of Health’s Health Promotion Bureau.

“This resource reflects the strength of collaboration between the education and health sectors. Together, we are helping ensure that teachers have the knowledge and tools to promote accurate information on HPV vaccination and protect the health of future generations,” said Requesto.

By equipping teachers and education support personnel with the appropriate tools and knowledge, DepEd aims to strengthen consistent, evidence-based communication about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention. The initiative also reinforces the education sector’s role in promoting healthy school environments and supporting efforts to reduce illness and deaths caused by vaccine-preventable cancers.

The annual School-Based Immunization (SBI) Program, jointly implemented by the DOH and DepEd, has been conducted since 2017. Prior to the implementation of SBI activities, Parent-Teacher Association meetings are held to provide parents and guardians with relevant information regarding the program. These efforts complement the health education and promotion initiatives of the DOH and local government units, helping ensure the successful conduct of immunization activities in schools.

“The Guro Laban sa Cervical Cancer resource booklet gives teachers a practical reference for addressing questions on HPV vaccination and supporting health-promoting practices in schools,” said Dr. Lilibeth Gonzales, OIC Chief of the DepEd School Health Division.

“Cervical cancer is largely preventable, and increasing awareness about HPV vaccination is essential to protecting future generations. Through this partnership, we are helping ensure that teachers have the knowledge and tools to support informed decision-making among parents and learners,” said Dr. Ingrid Magnata, country program manager of Jhpiego Philippines.

June 19, 2026 0 comments

Health

NurturePH forum calls for stronger alignment to improve maternal, newborn health in UHC era

by Contributor March 31, 2026

written by Contributor

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — Maternal health outcomes in the Philippines have improved in recent years, with the maternal mortality ratio declining from 151 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 to 119 in 2024, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Despite this progress, the country remains far from the Sustainable Development Goal target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Neonatal mortality has also seen limited improvement, pointing to persistent gaps in care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postnatal period.

Across the country, multiple organizations have implemented programs aimed at improving maternal and newborn health. However, these efforts often remain fragmented across different levels of the health system. As the Philippines moves toward full implementation of Universal Health Care, speakers said stronger alignment in policy, financing, and service delivery is needed to ensure timely, high-quality, and equitable care for all women and newborns.

In celebration of Women’s Month, the call for greater coordination was central to the recently held forum NurturePH: A National Dialogue on Maternal and Newborn Health in the UHC Era, co-organized by the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, Unilab Foundation, and Jhpiego.

The forum brought together more than 100 stakeholders from professional societies, international development organizations, local government units, national agencies, and health facilities. Participants discussed policy directions and program priorities of the Department of Health and PhilHealth, while sharing ongoing initiatives and good practices from across the country.

In her keynote message, Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Gloria J. Balboa emphasized the importance of collaboration and community engagement.

“When communities are informed and empowered, better health outcomes follow,” she said, highlighting the need to involve women, families, and communities in their care.

The forum also underscored the value of multisectoral partnerships. One example is the collaboration among the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Population Fund, working with the Department of Health and local governments in Eastern Visayas to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

Dr. Grace Viola of UNFPA emphasized the need to address systemic barriers.

“To improve outcomes, we must address the ‘Three Delays’: delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving quality care,” she said.

Promising local practices were also highlighted, including culturally sensitive maternal care initiatives in Mimaropa and efforts in Ozamiz City to address adolescent pregnancy while supporting continued access to education and health services.

A joint presentation by Dr. Christia Padolina of the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Dr. Esterlita Uy of the Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy through a child’s second birthday, in shaping long-term health outcomes. They said sustained investments during this period, and extending care up to the first 2,000 days, can significantly improve survival, growth, and development.

During the event, Jhpiego, the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, and Unilab Foundation signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen collaboration in advancing maternal and newborn health. The partnership will focus on improving coordination, building health worker capacity, promoting evidence-based interventions, and strengthening integrated service delivery in line with Universal Health Care goals.

As the Philippines continues its journey toward Universal Health Care, NurturePH reinforced a shared vision of ensuring that every mother and every newborn have access to quality, respectful and life-saving care.

March 31, 2026 0 comments

Health

Philippines advances cervical cancer prevention with data-driven HPV vaccine strategy

by Contributor March 10, 2026

written by Contributor

QUEZON CITY, Philippines —The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), together with Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, successfully conducted the multisectoral National Dissemination Forum on the results of the field testing and validation of the Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD) Tool for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The study included surveys and in-depth interviews with parents, teachers, community health workers, and adolescent girls to better understand factors influencing HPV vaccination decisions.

Under the Enhanced Global Health Security (EGHS) project, Jhpiego implemented this learning initiative as technical assistance to the Department of Health’s Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) and the National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB), in collaboration with the Department of Education – Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS).

The BeSD Tool was originally developed in 2022 for routine immunization by the Global Working Group on Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination, which included CDC. In 2024, Jhpiego and CDC partnered to field-test and validate the tool in the Philippine context for HPV vaccination.

Field testing and validation activities were conducted in Currimao and Laoag City. Survey implementation covered the municipalities of Currimao, Banna, and Pinili, and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte; Dolores, Lagangilang, Pilar, and Pidigan in the Province of Abra; Santiago City in Cagayan Valley; and Navotas City in Metro Manila.

Data were presented by Jhpiego’s academic research partner, De La Salle University – Social Development Research Center (DLSU-SDRC), which co-implemented data collection across the participating local government units.

“The study revealed critical behavioral and social factors influencing HPV vaccination decisions. While awareness and motivation were high, gaps in vaccine uptake persisted due to practical barriers such as parent availability, stock-outs, absenteeism, and occasional service-quality challenges. These insights will guide more targeted, evidence-informed strategies to improve vaccination coverage,” said Dr. Zaldy Collado, project lead of the BeSD Tool at De La Salle University – Social Development Research Center (DLSU-SDRC).

Findings showed high levels of awareness and positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination, with many parents recognizing its importance in preventing cervical cancer. However, practical and operational challenges contributed to missed vaccination opportunities. Schools played a central role in facilitating vaccination activities, while community health workers supported outreach, reminders, and coordination with families. Maternal decision-making was prominent, though household dynamics sometimes influenced final decisions.

“Understanding behavioral and social drivers of vaccination allows programs to design more responsive and effective immunization strategies. The Philippines’ leadership in field-testing the BeSD Tool contributes valuable evidence to global immunization efforts,” said Dr. Chung-Won Lee, immunization program director, Global Immunization Division, CDC Philippines Country Office.

“The forum highlights how multisectoral collaboration and data-driven approaches strengthen HPV vaccination programs. Our partners across health, education, and local government are essential to turning these insights into action and ensuring wider coverage,” added Elaine Charurat, project director, Jhpiego USA.

“The initiative marks an important step toward advancing evidence-informed, people-centered immunization strategies and supporting the Philippines’ commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern,” added Dr. Ingrid Magnata, country program manager, Jhpiego Philippines.

The dissemination forum brought together representatives from national government agencies, local government units, development partners, and education stakeholders to translate findings into actionable strategies. Recommendations include strengthening catch-up vaccination mechanisms, improving stock forecasting and supply management, enhancing risk communication efforts, equipping frontline workers with practical job aids, and sustaining multisectoral coordination to increase HPV vaccination coverage nationwide.

The partners reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration to strengthen HPV vaccination coverage and protect more Filipino girls from cervical cancer.

March 10, 2026 0 comments