Bacoor Healthcare Providers Trained on Early Childhood Cancer Detection

Bacoor City, Cavite — November 18, 2025. Healthcare workers in Bacoor enhanced their capacity to identify early signs of childhood cancer as the City Government of Bacoor, led by Mayor Strike B. Revilla through the Office of the City Health Services (OCHS), conducted a specialized training program in partnership with the I Want to Share Foundation. The activity was held at the 5th Floor of the Bacoor Legislative and Disaster Resilience Building.

City Health Officer Dr. Ivy Marie Yrastorza spearheaded the initiative, which brought together medical experts and local officials for a day of in-depth discussions. Among the attendees were Vice Mayor Rowena Bautista-Mendiola, Councilor Reynaldo Palabrica, Councilor Karen Sarino Evaristo, and I Want to Share Foundation President Sheila Romero.

Renowned specialists from the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) also served as key resource speakers, including Dr. Ana Patricia Alcasabas, Head of the Cancer Institute; Dr. Paolo Torres, Pediatric Oncologist; and Dr. Marianne Joy Naria-Maritana, Ambulatory Pediatrician.

The training, titled “Childhood Cancer Helpline: Training Healthcare Service Providers on the Early Detection of Childhood Cancer,” aimed to strengthen early intervention efforts by equipping Bacoor’s healthcare providers with essential knowledge and practical skills. Topics covered during the program included an overview of the Childhood Cancer Helpline, the current landscape of childhood cancer in the Philippines, common pediatric cancer types, probability-based classification, system-specific symptoms and warning signs, and the appropriate referral processes for suspected cases.

Participants also worked on establishing a standardized referral pathway for early detection and management of potential childhood cancer cases within the City of Bacoor.

The initiative reflects Bacoor’s ongoing commitment to improving pediatric healthcare, ensuring that early warning signs are recognized promptly, and strengthening its network of trained frontline health providers. /PR