Since its integration into the Philippine Cancer Society’s (PCS) patient support services in 2010, patient navigation in the Philippines has made significant strides. Initially implemented through hospital-based programs in partnership with the Department of Health’s (DOH) Breast Cancer Medicines Access Program, patient navigation has evolved into a cornerstone of cancer care delivery nationwide.
Its role has since been formally recognized in national legislation through the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, and it is now practiced across a wide range of settings, including hospitals, communities, and volunteer initiatives, with support from both government and civil society.
In 2024, PCS partnered with the Department of Health–Cancer Control Division (DOH-CCD) and Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC) to release national training manuals for patient navigation. These manuals drew from PCS’s previous training materials and incorporated resources from the George Washington Cancer Center and the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.
Training was conducted for navigators in Cancer and Supportive-Palliative Medicines Access Program (CSPMAP) sites, with certification granted to participants who completed a 2-day training workshop, engaged in monthly mentoring and monitoring sessions, and received endorsement from their site’s medical coordinator. To date, over 110 navigators have been trained to serve across various CSPMAP access sites.
In June 2025, patient navigation in the Philippines marked a historic milestone with the convening of the first Philippine National Patient Navigation Conference, jointly organized by DOH-CCD, PCS, and ARMMC. Held June 26-27, 2025, at Casa Ibarra in Pasay City, the 2-day event was a landmark gathering that underscored patient navigation as an essential strategy for delivering patient-centered and equitable cancer care.
Although the conference formally opened June 26, a preconference session was held the day prior, bringing together 31 patient navigators and key stakeholders from institutions nationwide. The session focused on advancing national standards and competencies for navigation and conceptualizing the Philippine Patient Navigation Network—a national Community of Practice envisioned to bring together cancer patient navigators, program managers, trainers, researchers, and advocates. The network aims to foster camaraderie, professional growth, peer learning, and greater alignment of practices across diverse healthcare settings.
On day 1 of the formal program, I hosted and welcomed national and international guests, setting the tone for an insightful and collaborative event. The opening ceremony was attended by DOH-CCD officials led by Dr Jan Aura Laurelle Llevado, along with leaders from government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners. Key messages emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in institutionalizing patient navigation as a sustainable and system-integrated component of cancer care—both in the Philippines and beyond.
The morning plenary featured a comprehensive overview of the history and current status of patient navigation in the Philippines, led by experienced nurse navigators and their medical collaborators. Mr Romeo Marcaida, a nurse navigator from PCS, presented the national background and evolution of navigation services. Ms Jenna Gonzalez highlighted integration efforts within government hospitals, while Dr Cecilia Llave emphasized the role of patient navigation in strengthening cervical cancer control programs. Dr Susana Amiscua further underscored how local government units can incorporate navigation into primary care delivery, reinforcing its relevance beyond tertiary care.
Support from the national government was evident as the afternoon opened with a recorded message from Department of Health Secretary Dr Teodoro Herbosa. This was followed by an insightful overview of the Philippine cancer control landscape by former DOH secretary and PCS board member, Dr Jaime Galvez-Tan, who contextualized navigation within broader national health reforms.
The conference then turned to international perspectives, with speakers from across the globe offering valuable insights into how patient navigation is implemented in their respective contexts.
“Patient navigation is a cornerstone of equitable, effective cancer care. It transforms the cancer care experience, making it less overwhelming and more accessible.” —Corazon A. Ngelangel, MD, MS, PhD, president, Philippine Cancer Society
Ms Mandy Thoo and Dr Suwarna Laxshmi Ramanathan of the National Cancer Society Malaysia presented their guided patient support program. Ms Nancy Peña shared experiences from Latin America, where community-embedded navigators play a pivotal role in reaching underserved populations.
Dr Gabry Kuijten, director of Patient Information at the Anticancer Fund, introduced My Cancer Navigator, a personalized, evidence-based information service available to patients across Europe.
Finally, Mr Nicola Di Flora of the International Cancer Patient Coalition outlined how global alliances are propelling system-wide changes anchored in navigation principles.
These international presentations highlighted a shared global commitment to bridging cancer care gaps through patient-centered navigation. The day concluded with a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Dr Kelly Salvador (PCS) and Dr Dennis Santos (ARMMC), and a compelling call to action from Dr Gloria Cristal Luna (PCS), who urged: “If we want patient navigation to truly serve the Filipino people, we must continue to shape it—not from a single model but from the richness of our collective experiences.
The evening closed with a warm and celebratory Fellowship Night, which brought together the growing community of patient navigation advocates and champions. Dr Jan Aura Laurelle Llevado, chief of DOH-CCD, delivered a heartfelt message recognizing the progress made toward institutionalizing navigation across the country. A highlight of the event was the graduation ceremony for the 2025 cohort of the DOH-PCS-ARMMC patient navigation training program. Newly trained navigators were awarded certificates of completion, and special awards were given to outstanding institutions and individuals in recognition of their exemplary contributions to patient-centered cancer care.
The second day of the conference opened with 3 thematic panel discussions, each grounded in real-world practice and moderated by experienced leaders.
The first panel, led by Mr Romeo Marcaida (PCS) and Mr Jayson De Leon (ARMMC), focused on enhancing access to support services. Panelists from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Kythe Foundation, and The Ruth Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Care (TRF) shared how navigators can help patients connect to vital financial, psychosocial, and palliative care resources.
The second panel, moderated by Dr Herdee Luna (PCS), explored the role of navigators within interdisciplinary teams. Social workers, nurses, and physicians from institutions such as the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Children’s Hospital, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) offered their perspectives on collaboration across disciplines. Ms Betty Senador, a cancer survivor and patient advocate, enriched the dialogue with a moving testimony on the value of continuity and compassion in care.
I facilitated the final panel, which explored the role of navigators in managing critical care transitions—from hospital to community, from pediatric to adult care, and from curative treatment to palliative support. Speakers included representatives from PGH’s KWAGO program, TRF, and Cagayan Valley Medical Center. A second cancer survivor, Ms Reggie Drilon, shared a poignant account of how navigation provided hope, reassurance, and advocacy during the most vulnerable phases of her care journey.
The conference was officially closed by Dr Denis Santos of ARMMC, who expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed the shared commitment to advancing patient navigation as a national priority in cancer care.
With 245 attendees, 14 national panelists, and 5 international speakers, the first Philippine National Patient Navigation Conference elevated navigation to the forefront of national cancer care dialogue.
The event affirmed that patient navigators are no longer invisible actors behind the scenes. They are integral members of healthcare teams, catalysts for system innovation, and lifelines for patients and families.
From national policy to grassroots implementation, the conference marked a shared commitment: no Filipino faces cancer alone, and no one is left behind.
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