Overcoming Healthcare Barriers Together - The Department of Health - Cancer Control Division (DOH-CCD), Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC), and the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) reached a historic milestone with the successful hosting of the 1st National Patient Navigation Conference. Since 2010, the PCS has partnered with DOH CCD to integrate patient navigation into the cancer programs of selected hospitals. Since then, patient navigation has grown to include capacitation of community and peer navigators throughout various settings. Since then, the patient navigation training developed in 2024 under the tripartite collaboration of DOH CCD - ARMMC - PCS has trained and certified more than 110 navigators for the different Cancer and Supportive-Palliative Medicine Access Program (CSPMAP) access sites of the country.
This year, with the goal of establishing unified standards, competencies, and a community of practice, DOH CCD-ARMMC-PCS hosted the 1st National Patient Navigation Conference, which was held over two days, June 26–27, 2025, at Casa Ibarra, Pasay City, Philippines. The event served as a national platform to recognize, strengthen, and celebrate the role of patient navigators in improving cancer care and access to health services across the country.
June 25, 2025, Day 0 Pre-conference Meeting.
The conference was preceded by a Pre-Conference Session on June 25, 2025, attended by 31 stakeholders and cancer patient navigators from various institutions. The morning sessions focused on refining patient navigation competencies and standards, while the afternoon was devoted to deliberating the concept note for the establishment of the Philippine Patient Navigation Network as a National Community of Practice for cancer patient navigators, program managers and coordinators, trainers, researchers, and advocates. This network will foster camaraderie, shared learning, professional development, and practice alignment across diverse healthcare settings.
The conference formally opened on June 26, hosted by Dr. Maricar Sabeniano (PCS), who welcomed both government leaders and international speakers, setting a refined tone for the discussions. The event was graced by officials from the DOH-CCD led by Dr. Jan Aura Laurelle Llevado (DOH-CCD Chief) and her team. Key messages were delivered by Mr. El Cid Castillo, Executive Director of the Qualifications and Standards Office of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Dr. Imelda Mateo, Medical Center Chief of ARMMC, Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, President of PCS, Dr. Denis Horgan, Secretary General of the International Cancer Patient Coalition, Ms. Mandy Thoo, Deputy Director of Community Engagement of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia and Ms. Nancy Peña, Founder and Director of Navegacion de Paintes Internacional, Inc. PCS speakers, Nurse Romeo Marcaida gave a talk on the Philippine background of patient navigation. Nurse Jenna Gonzalez discussed the Integration of patient navigation in Philippine Government Hospitals, and Dr. Cecilia Llave highlighted the integration of patient navigation in the Philippines’ Cervical Cancer initiatives. Dr. Susana Amiscua, Chief Health Program Officer of Taguig City, gave an encouraging talk about the integration of patient navigation in Philippine Local Government Units.
The afternoon session featured a message from DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, followed by a talk about the cancer control landscape here in the Philippines by the former Secretary of Health and PCS board member, Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan. Lectures from the international speakers, representing the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (Ms. Mandy Thoo and Dr. Suwarna Laxshmi Ramanathan-Guided Patient Support Coordinator and Assistant Manager), Navegacion de Paintes Internacional, Inc. (Ms. Nancy Peña), the Anticancer Fund Director of Patient Information, Dr. Gabry Kuijten shared a recording about My Cancer Navigator: A personalized, evidence-based information service for cancer patients and the International Cancer Patient Coalition (Mr. Nicola Di Flora-Strategic Alliances and Partnerships Manager). They emphasized the need to integrate patient navigation in cancer control programs, shared the practices applied in their regions, and provided evidence on the positive impact of navigation programs on cancer care. Their insights strengthened the importance of organized, person-centered care and the vital function navigators play in bridging gaps in the healthcare system. A lively panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Kelly Salvador (PCS) and Dr. Dennis Santos (ARMMC), brought together all international speakers, followed by heartwarming closing remarks from Dr. Gloria Cristal Luna (PCS) who called everyone to united action saying, “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“
June 27 was dedicated to panel discussions that highlighted government policies, real-world experiences of navigators, and implementing organizations. The first discussion was moderated by the day's host, Mr. Romeo Marcaida, and Nurse Jayson De Leon (ARMMC). Panelists explored overcoming barriers by improving resource access, where Director Edwin Morata of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Ms. Ethel Lovino, Social Welfare Officer III of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)- Charity Assistance Department, Ms. Mary Ann Flores, Taguig City Ms. Lourdes 'Odette' Magno, Executive Director of Kythe Foundation, and Dr. Ruth Orillaza-Chi, Executive Director of The Ruth Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Care (TRF), discussed their services and programs available for cancer patients, along with guidance on access points and locations where these resources can be obtained. The next panel discussion, expertly moderated by PCS’s Dr. Herdee Luna, focused on the role of patient navigators within interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The session featured a distinguished panel of professionals representing various institutions and disciplines. Among the panelists were Dr. Marvine Jonne Mendoza of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and several experienced patient navigators, including Ms. Hazel Jacinto from the Lung Center of the Philippines and Nurse Richelle Cris Miranda of the National Children’s Hospital. As respected pillars of Philippine Social Workers, insights were shared by medical social workers Ms. Arlene Sabdao (Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center) and Ms. Daisy Manlangit, Medical Social Service, Chief from the Philippine General Hospital. The panel discussion was energetic and particularly enriched by the presence of Ms. Betty Senador, a cancer survivor and patient advocate, whose standpoint emphasized the importance of compassionate care. The last panel discussion focused on navigating transitions as patient navigators in the community, hospital, pediatric, adult, curative, and noncurative settings. This portion was moderated by PCS Dr. Maricar Sabeniano. The exemplary panel was composed of Cagayan Valley Medical Center patient navigator, Ms. Margie Calimag; UP-PGH KWAGO Coordinator, Dr. Marianne Joy Maritana; TRF’s patient navigator, Nurse Malou Tupaz; and another cancer patient, Ms. Reggie Drillon. The day concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Dennis Santos of ARMMC.
With 245 attendees, including 6 moderators, 14 national panelists, and 5 international speakers, the conference was a resounding success. The 1st National Patient Navigation Conference represented a national commitment to ensuring that no Filipino faces cancer alone—and that patient navigation ensures no cancer patient is left behind.
“Patient navigation is a cornerstone of equitable, effective cancer care. It transforms the cancer care experience, making it less overwhelming and more accessible.”
Dr. Corazon Ngelangel (Philippine Cancer Society, President)
