MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In celebration of National Teacher’s Month, AIA Philippines (formerly Philam Life) and The Medical City (TMC), alongside the ABS-CBN Foundation and the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of San Jose del Monte, launched this year’s Hope Mobi Clinic program to deliver free breast cancer screening to 100 public school teachers in Bulacan.
The outreach brought critical health services directly to women educators in San Jose del Monte. The initiative was further formalized through a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the organizations, reinforcing a shared, long-term commitment to expanding access to community-based breast healthcare.
Addressing Barriers to Preventive Care
Through the Hope Mobi Clinic’s mobile medical setup, participating teachers received comprehensive breast cancer screenings without the typical logistical hurdles, such as high costs, lengthy travel times, or limited access to local facilities.
The program comes at a critical time for women’s health in the country. Breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among Filipino women:
- 28,000+ New Cases: Estimated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) for the Philippines, representing 32% of all female cancer diagnoses.
- 11,160 Annual Deaths: Highlighted in global health reports due to late-stage detection.
- Asymptomatic Early Stages: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early detection is vital because breast cancer often shows no obvious physical symptoms early on.
“Teachers dedicate themselves to caring for others, inspiring potential, shaping character, and helping build the future through every life they touch. This Teacher’s Month, we want to help educators take care of their own health by making preventive breast cancer screening more accessible and encouraging them to take action early with confidence and courage.”
— Melita Teo, President and CEO, AIA Philippines
Cross-Sector Collaboration for Community Wellness
The Hope Mobi Clinic initiative reflects AIA Philippines’ broader Rethink Healthy movement, which champions preventive health alongside mental, financial, and environmental well-being.
In addition to breast cancer screenings, participating educators received:
- Free blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, and blood typing provided by The Medical City.
- Grocery supply packages distributed by the local government unit (LGU).
- Guidance on self-examination routines and clear follow-up pathways for further medical care.
“Early detection can change a patient’s health journey. Through Hope Mobi Clinic, we bring screening closer to communities so more women can take an important step toward protecting their health.”
— Dr. Carlo Angelo Cajucom, Director of Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute, The Medical City
Levi Grace Ambon-Rota, Head of ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata program, added: “Working alongside AIA Philippines and our partners allows us to further invest in community well-being, ensuring that more women educators receive the health support they need to continue making a difference in the lives of others.”
DepEd Senior Education Program Specialist Merlita Ynciong expressed gratitude on behalf of the division, emphasizing that health education empowers teachers to continue inspiring students and contributing to national growth.
Operating since 2023, the Hope Mobi Clinic partnership between AIA Philippines and The Medical City continues to demonstrate how public-private sector cooperation can bridge health equity gaps for Filipino women.
