In observation of International Women’s Month, Profriends and GalingLNC partnered with the local government of General Trias to conduct free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administration. An orientation on cervical cancer was first held before participants were given a dose of the HPV vaccine. Nurse Mary Ann Bartolome of the City Health Office stressed the importance of being vaccinated against HPV: “Dahil kalimitan, walang sintomas at maraming tao ang maaaring mayroon nang HPV nang hindi natin nalalaman.” Nurse Mary Ann added, “Dahil dito, may posibilidad na maipasa ang virus sa ibang tao na hindi natin nalalaman.”

The Philippines has a population of 39.6 million women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer, according to the Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers Fact Sheet 2023.

Desiree Paula Vibar, a resident of Lancaster New City, was very grateful for this activity: “Napakalaking tulong sa amin nito dahil sa totoo lang hindi naman lahat may financial capacity para makapagpa-inject ng ganito. Napaka-swerte ko rin dahil isa ako sa nabiyayaan.” An HPV vaccine usually costs around four thousand pesos and is a two-dose series. The 2nd dose is given six to twelve months after the first dose.