Breast cancer is a global battle—and one that strikes closer to home than many realize.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 1 in every 20 women worldwide will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. In the Philippines, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, claiming more than 33,000 lives each year.

But hope is on the horizon.

At a recent forum hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Manila held in partnership with Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Roche Philippines, global and local experts gathered to tackle the urgent need for better breast cancer care. From awareness campaigns to cutting-edge therapies, they mapped out a future where no Filipina is left behind.

Dr. Eunyoung Ko, deputy representative of IARC, pointed to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework as a guide. Practical and evidence-based, the framework sets three ambitious targets:

• Early diagnosis for at least 60% of cases.
• Diagnostic evaluation within 60 days of the first suspicion.
• Completion of treatment for 80% of patients—without abandonment.

“Achieving these targets requires a strong and integrated health system response, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and reducing health inequities,” Dr. Ko said.

She noted that sustainable financing and robust governance—integrated within universal health care—are critical to ensure that lifesaving treatments are not just available, but accessible to all.

The Philippines, Dr. Ko said, has laid important groundwork through the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and initiatives like the Cancer Assistance Fund.

Yet, major hurdles remain: fragmented service delivery, limited healthcare workforce, and uneven access across regions.

“Overcoming these challenges calls for sustained political will, targeted resource allocation, and strong implementation mechanisms,” she said. “We have a unique opportunity to drive a measurable impact grounded in equity, resilience, and shared responsibility.”

At the heart of these discussions was a simple but powerful call: collaboration—across government, private sector, and civil society.

Expanding access, saving lives

One major step forward is the expanded national health insurance coverage for breast cancer care.

“In 2024, the PhilHealth package was expanded to include targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and surveillance—up to ₱1.4 million,” said Dr. Melanie Santillan, senior manager at PhilHealth’s Benefits Development and Research Department.

This comprehensive package now covers diagnostics, mammography, surgery, chemotherapy, and expensive targeted therapies that alone cost nearly ₱1 million for 18 cycles. Today, 28 hospitals nationwide—15 public, 13 private—are contracted under this program, covering Filipinas across the archipelago.

Still, gaps remain. Many patients only complete about three cycles of treatment, largely due to financial constraints.

“[Breast cancer] is not just a public health concern. It’s an economic and social disruptor,” Dr. Santillan said.

For ICanServe Foundation President Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, defeating breast cancer starts with a shift in mindset—and political will.

“You really just need political will because it’s about orchestrating resources,” she said. “City leaders or governors are critical. They can command these things and make them happen.”

Magsanoc-Alikpala also stressed the need to end the stigma. “We still have to disabuse ourselves of the idea that cancer is a death sentence,” she said. “There’s hope, there’s a chance—and that belief permeates everything.”

Dr. Soledad Balete, a medical oncologist at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, said that early diagnosis is only half the battle. “Treatment plays a very important role. We need to expand access to innovative medications that are already the standard of care,” she said.

Dr. Diana Edralin, Roche Philippines general manager and European Chamber of Commerce-Philippines (ECCP) vice president, echoed the sentiment, pointing to the WHO framework as a beacon for collaboration.

“The Global Breast Cancer Initiative framework is an important tool for us to continue to be united and have something measurable in our work—whether in companies or governments,” Edralin said.

Turning intent into impact

On the policy front, Rep. Jude Acidre, House Assistant Majority Leader, shared that Congress had, for the first time, fully funded the Cancer Assistance Fund with ₱1.5 billion in the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

“It’s a bold step forward,” Acidre said. “The sign that we’re moving from intent to impact. What was once out of reach is slowly becoming real—one patient, one family, one life at a time.”

Infrastructure is also expanding, with new cancer care centers such as the Philippine Cancer Center and the Eastern Visayas Cancer Center underway.

Rep. Acidre further committed to championing the Pharmaceutical Innovation Bill, designed to promote research, speed up access to life-saving medicines, and invest in the country’s cancer care future.

For Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Céline Fürst, the call is clear: “Let us be bold in rethinking access, equity, and innovation in breast cancer care. Let us ensure that no woman—regardless of her location or economic status—is left behind.”

Because when it comes to breast cancer, it’s not simply a statistic. It’s your mother, your sister, your friend, your neighbor.

And in this fight, early detection isn’t just medical advice—it’s a lifeline.

The proposed Low Carbon Investment Act and Bamboo Sustainability Act offer substantial eco-friendly business opportunities for the Philippines, it was learned at the recent sustainability forum hosted by the Switzerland Chamber of Commerce Philippines.

Rep Jose Manuel Alba (1st District, Bukidnon), Vice Chairman of the Committee on Sustainable Development Goals in the House of Representatives, said these bills can reshape the country’s economic and environmental landscape by encouraging low-carbon investments and mainstreaming the use of engineered bamboo in construction.

“The Low Carbon Investment Act and the Bamboo Sustainability Act are not just about capturing carbon or reducing emissions. It is our collective contribution in reshaping our world for the better. It’s about fostering innovation, encouraging sustainable practices, and taking responsibility for the legacy we leave behind,” he said.

The Low Carbon Investment Act introduces a unique hybrid model with flexible compliance options to address carbon emission liabilities and encourages broad private sector participation, including renewable energy, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, and advanced carbon capture technologies.

Alba noted how the Philippine bamboo, which is endemic and abundant in the country, remains underutilized.

The discussion covered the potential of bamboo as a sustainable construction material and the need for policy support to mainstream its use.

Together, forum participants discussed the need for better reporting and harmonization of sustainability standards, the role of SMEs in driving economic growth, and the importance of including key players (from the government to private sectors) in sustainability efforts.

“The way forward requires not only cutting of emissions, but also reimagining our systems, energy, transportation, agriculture and all other industries a vital component of this transformation is investment, specifically low carbon investment,” said Alba.

In the same sustainability forum, the Swiss chamber highlighted the importance of low-carbon economy investments in the Philippines. “Switzerland has been dedicated to climate action for a long time and has made important progressive investing in a lower-carbon economy,” said Céline Fürst, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland. She underscored Switzerland’s eagerness to collaborate with the Philippines in fostering a sustainable future.

The forum gathered stakeholders, government officials, and private sector leaders who discussed the potential of these investments.

Nicolas George, President and CEO of Holcim Philippines, emphasized the need for a balanced approach in the Philippines’ decarbonization journey, ensuring that local industries are not adversely affected.

Chuchi Fonacier, Deputy Governor of Financial Supervision at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), spoke on BSP’s role in green finance and the importance of transition finance, while Katreena Pillejera of the Global Reporting Initiative highlighted the role of SMEs and other entities in driving sustainability.

Despite these steps, the Philippines has yet to commit to a net-zero target among ASEAN nations.

Ms. Pillejera shared that it’s more about “the willingness to participate and contribute,” rather than just readiness, as the key factor in advancing climate goals.

The Global Reporting Initiative official pointed out that in the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of 75% greenhouse gas emissions reduction, only 2.71% will come from local resources, with the remainder reliant on international support.

“We’re not ready, but we could be,” she added, underscoring the importance of setting baselines and identifying achievable carbon reduction goals for companies and SMEs across the country.

Alba said the challenge is in balancing environmental issues with economic opportunities. He highlighted the necessity of adopting a low-carbon economy to address climate change and achieve net zero by 2050.

Endend

The #PeriodTowardsEmpowerment project aims to implement a comprehensive knowledge-building program that fosters discussions about menstrual management, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Participants will explore how socio-cultural norms and long-held beliefs contribute to gender insensitivity and perpetuate misconceptions about menstruation, which can trigger various forms of gender-based violence. 

One of the project’s objectives is to significantly reduce waste generated by disposable sanitary napkins. These napkins, typically made from non-renewable resources, involve cutting down trees, consuming large amounts of water, and generating greenhouse gas emissions during production. After a single use, they contribute to the growing problem of landfill waste. In contrast, reusable napkins made from renewable materials require fewer resources and can be reused multiple times, leading to a substantial reduction in overall waste production. 

Furthermore, the project will empower women in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, through training to manufacture reusable sanitary napkins locally. These eco-friendly alternatives not only provide a cost-effective option compared to disposables but also 

help combat the stigma surrounding menstruation. Distributing these reusable napkins to young schoolgirls in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, will complement the broader period empowerment and awareness program. Additionally, the initiative will incorporate education on menstrual health and introduce “Sophia, The Chatbot,” utilizing technology to facilitate accessible reporting avenues for gender-based violence. 

Through collaborative efforts of the #PeriodTowardsEmpowerment project, the project seeks to create a lasting impact by promoting gender equality, fostering safer and healthier communities, and empowering women and girls with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. 

More than the breathtaking mountains, coveted Swiss watches, cheese, and chocolates, among others, Switzerland has a lot to brandish and offer to the world.

On November 9, the “Day of the Future” was launched for the first time in the Philippines and spearheaded by the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines.

The event shares opportunities with Filipino students to immerse and learn firsthand the real working environments with Swiss companies in the Philippines and gain firsthand experience in various professional fields and interests.

In terms of education, Switzerland is known for its strong vocational and professional education system. Graced by the Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Dr. Nicolas Brühl, the “Day of the Future” originates in Switzerland and annual tradition wherein the students get exposed to a unique opportunity in real working environments and help them understand the nuances of their respective interests.

Now piloted in the Philippines to various high school students, it hopes to foster curiosity and enhance their preferred interest in the particular field they want to explore.

Swiss companies and education advocate partners like Roche, Novartis, Endress + Hauser, Holcim, SGS, ERNI, Ivoclar Vivadent, SGS, Impact Acoustic, and Nestle support the Swiss Embassy’s initiative that will certainly help the students to be inspired by their experience and pursue their desired interest and eventually excel in their career.

Ambassador Brühl underscores the importance of education and that the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines will continue to provide opportunities to young Filipino students to immerse and learn from the best practices of Swiss companies that would eventually pave the way to enhance their career and professional journey for their future and the future of the country.

(In photo: His Excellency Dr. Nicolas Brühl, Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines)

The Swiss envoy said that the Swiss Embassy and partner Swiss companies hope that the insights and experiences that the students will gain during their immersion will introduce them to the concept of vocational training and inspire them to consider this path.

“Vocational training not only equips you with practical skills but also empowers you to make informed choices about future careers. It is an avenue where passions can be turned into professions”, he said.

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Meanwhile, Roche (Philippines) General Manager Dr. Diana M. Edralin, speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS said, “We need to come up with an integrated educational program in the Philippines that would provide opportunities and solutions to address the challenges of education. This can happen when there’s a strong public-private partnership.”

In photo: Roche (Philippines) General Manager Dr. Diana M. Edralin

“This is what we are advocating in Roche to forge partnerships with various stakeholders. For instance education of our farmers and fisherfolk. Their median age is above 50 years old, and if no one will take care of them, then we will have issues with food security,” Dr. Edralin said.

She also pointed out that the immersion of our young Filipino students will help them process their thoughts and choice of profession or career and see how they can contribute to the nation’s growth and development.

Joel Chong, Country President of Novartis Healthcare Philippines on the other hand sees that the exposure that the students will have would lead them to find innovative solutions to various problems in the country such as agriculture, climate change, education, and more.

In photo: Joel Chong, Country President of Novartis Healthcare Philippines

Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, Chong said, “All of us Swiss companies who joined this noble project of the Swiss Embassy, believe that as well rolled this out today, we can inspire many young Filipinos to explore how they can contribute to nation-building, through the experience and learnings they will gain from this program.”

For her part, Céline Fürst, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Swiss Embassy and the proponent of the “Day of the Future” said during the sideline interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS, “We are elated to see the positive response from our advocate partners, the Swiss companies in the Philippines, the Department of Education and the Swiss Cultural Fund Philippines. We look forward to continuing this project and bringing in more Swiss companies to support this project and reach more Filipino students across the Philippines.”

(In photo: Céline Fürst, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Swiss Embassy)

“In Switzerland, we believe in the importance of empowering young people and helping them discern and achieve their full potential as individuals. With their varying interest, the immersion will help them see what are the different career paths they can take and prepare them way ahead before they pursue their choice about the reality of what are the skills and knowledge that they need to acquire to achieve their goal,” she added.