The Cebu City Council is taking a major step in the fight against cancer with a proposed comprehensive ordinance designed to support affected families and improve healthcare outcomes.
A New Local Framework for Cancer Care
Authored by Councilor Mikel Rama, the proposed Cebu City Integrated Cancer Control Ordinance (CCICCO) was endorsed to the City Council on December 16, 2025. This measure seeks to establish a local policy backbone for all city-led cancer initiatives, aligning with the national National Integrated Cancer Control Act (Nicca).
Councilor Rama highlighted the urgent need for the ordinance, noting that cancer is a leading cause of death in the Philippines. He emphasized the severe social, economic, and health impacts, particularly on poor and marginalized communities, where the cost of care often leads to catastrophic family expenses.
Key Components of the Proposed Program
The core of the proposal is the creation of the Cebu City Integrated Cancer Control Program, to be managed by a new Cebu City Cancer Control Office under the City Health Department. A significant infrastructure plan includes establishing a Cebu City Cancer Center, supported by satellite clinics in strategic barangays. This aims to decentralize screening and follow-up care, making services more accessible.
The city's strategy focuses on several critical areas:
- Strengthening health education and prevention campaigns.
- Implementing organized, population-based screening programs to move beyond voluntary testing.
- Making sustained investments in medical infrastructure, equipment, and specialized health workers.
- Ensuring access to palliative care, rehabilitation, and robust supply systems for medicines to prevent treatment delays.
Direct Support for Patients and Survivors
A cornerstone of the ordinance is the establishment of a Cancer Assistance Fund. This fund is designed to help patients cover diagnostics, medicines, and treatments not fully shouldered by PhilHealth. The city is mandated to seek national funding and external grants to bolster this local resource.
In a move that grants significant rights, the measure formally recognizes cancer patients and survivors as persons with disabilities. This recognition provides access to benefits like discounts, tax exemptions, and priority services, mirroring provisions in the national Nicca law.
The proposal also enforces a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination in schools and workplaces while offering livelihood reintegration support for survivors.
Data-Driven Policy and Lasting Impact
To guide future decisions, the ordinance calls for the creation of a population-based Cebu City Cancer Registry. This registry will consolidate data from hospitals and health centers, providing valuable insights into the local cancer landscape.
If passed, the CCICCO could position Cebu City as a proactive leader in translating national cancer policy into tangible, community-level services. It represents a crucial test of whether localized, integrated care can effectively reduce both the medical and financial burden of cancer on Filipino families.
