Experts from the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) say that while the Philippines has laid much of the policy groundwork for human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention, eliminating cervical cancer will require broader vaccine coverage, including the eventual expansion of vaccination to boys, and stronger local implementation.
The recent launch of the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas Asia-Pacific 2026 at the House of Representatives brought together lawmakers, health advocates, civil society groups, and cervical cancer survivors to address gaps in the country’s HPV policies and their implementation.
The Atlas gave the Philippines an overall score of 71.6 percent, trailing several Southeast Asian neighbors, including Brunei Darussalam at 87.7 percent, Malaysia at 86 percent, Indonesia at 84.2 percent, Singapore at 79.7 percent, and Thailand at 78.9 percent. The results underscore the gap between established policy frameworks and their implementation on the ground.
‘The policies are there. Just implementation is lacking,’ said Marina Davidashvili, head of policy and research at EPF.
Designed as a policy benchmarking tool rather than an epidemiological survey, the Atlas evaluates national frameworks in three areas: HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and public access to verified online health information. EPF identifies expanding vaccine coverage as the Philippines’ most urgent priority.
Closing gaps in vaccination coverage
Through the Department of Health’s School-Based Immunization Program (SBIP), the government provides free, two-dose HPV vaccination to girls aged nine to 14 in public schools. Some local government units (LGUs) and public hospitals also conduct supplemental vaccination drives for indigent patients.
However, EPF highlights significant gaps in the current strategy, emphasizing the need for robust catch-up programs, improved vaccination tracking systems, and the eventual inclusion of boys in the national vaccination program.
‘If a girl didn’t go to school on that day, she missed the vaccine. There is no opportunity for her to get the vaccine. So catch-up programs would be very important,’ Davidashvili said.
Expanding access beyond school-based vaccination would help ensure that girls who miss scheduled immunization activities are not left unprotected.
Extending protection to boys
Transitioning to gender-neutral HPV vaccination is another important benchmark for strengthening prevention efforts.
Although cervical cancer remains a primary focus of HPV prevention, the virus can also cause several types of cancer in men. Vaccinating boys, therefore, could broaden protection against HPV-related diseases and help reduce transmission across the population.
‘Gender-neutral [vaccination] has to be something envisaged at some point,’ said Neil Datta, founder and executive director of EPF.
‘There’s a lack of awareness that this can affect men as well,’ he added.
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Addressing practical barriers-including missed school-based vaccination schedules, limited public awareness, and inconsistent local implementation-is essential to translating policy commitments into effective immunization programs.
Mobilizing local GAD funds
Another strategy raised during the Atlas launch was the use of local Gender and Development (GAD) funds to support HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention programs.
Datta said clear administrative guidelines on allocating GAD funds for HPV and cervical cancer initiatives would help LGUs address financing gaps and strengthen local prevention efforts.
‘Potential funding is there. It’s just a question of liberating it and really making it available for this issue,’ he said.
The Philippines’ decentralized health system could also enable LGUs that prioritize HPV prevention to move more quickly in implementing local programs.
‘Where there’s political will at the local level, they can move faster. They don’t need to wait for what’s coming from the capital,’ Datta said.
Turning policy commitments into action
The Atlas launch demonstrated strong legislative interest, drawing around 10 lawmakers, including senior congressional leaders, who participated in discussions on strengthening HPV prevention and cervical cancer elimination efforts.
‘The overall tone of the discussion was all very constructive. Everyone wanted to find solutions,’ Datta said.
Sustaining this momentum will require coordinated action across government. Congress must exercise oversight to help ensure that public resources reach intended beneficiaries, national agencies must provide clear financing and operational guidelines, and LGUs must strengthen local delivery mechanisms to bring vaccination and other preventive services closer to communities.
A sustained national commitment across administrations will also be essential if the Philippines is to close the gap with regional leaders in cancer prevention.