Taguig City launches workplace cervical cancer screening for women employees

A new workplace-based cervical cancer screening programme has launched in Taguig City, a key economic centre in eastern Metro Manila. The initiative brings HPV DNA testing directly to women employees, removing common barriers to early detection and treatment. The programme is part of the Philippines Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS 2) Project. It is being rolled out by Jhpiego in collaboration with the Taguig City Health Office and the Women Workers for Health Empowerment Network. Two major companies, Eight8Ate Holdings Inc. and Team Pacific Corporation, are now hosting trained workplace health champions.

These champions assist women in self-collecting samples while ensuring privacy, safety, and dignity. The collected samples are then processed through the CLAMS 2 centralised laboratory network, maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency. For employees, the model eliminates the need to choose between work and healthcare. It affirms their right to health without disrupting their income or daily routines. Employers also benefit, as supporting worker well-being aligns with operational stability and productivity.

The initiative aims to boost screening rates and enable earlier detection of cervical cancer. By integrating testing into workplaces, it strengthens health systems while advancing global goals for cervical cancer elimination. The model’s success could pave the way for wider adoption across other industries and regions.