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Government,
private sector, and healthcare leaders gathered to pursue a whole-of-society
approach and chart actions from screening to survivorship at CanCham’s General
Membership Meeting.
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Focus areas
included prevention, early detection, digital health solutions, sustainable
financing, and scaling HPV vaccinations and other interventions.
(L-R) Atty. JV Salud (Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs, Manulife Philippines), Dr. Ramy Roxas (Chief Operating Officer, Healthway Cancer Care Hospital), and Rahul Hora (President & Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines)At the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ General Membership Meeting, held in cooperation with Manulife, leaders aligned on integrating cancer care systems and adopting a whole-of-society approach to help Filipinos live healthier lives and secure stronger financial futures.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (CanCham)
held its General Membership Meeting (GMM) at Ayala North Exchange in Makati
Central Business District on February 11, with the theme “Strengthening the
Philippines’ Cancer Care Ecosystem.” As one of the longest-serving Canadian
businesses in the country, Manulife Philippines supported the gathering as the
official event partner, bringing together government, private sector, and
healthcare leaders to address one of the Philippines’ most pressing health
challenges.
Cancer remains a significant challenge for
Filipino families. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, cancer was
among the three leading causes of death among Filipinos for the first eight
months of 2024, while the Manulife’s Asia Care Survey shows it remains one of
the most feared diseases among Filipinos. These concerns are compounded by
systemic barriers to care: financial constraints and limited access to
screening mean many patients are diagnosed only at later stages, when treatment
is more complex and costly.
Geographic disparities further exacerbate the
problem, with Filipinos outside Metro Manila facing fewer options for timely
and specialized care. As a result, the heavy burden of out-of-pocket expenses
places tremendous strain on families already navigating the emotional and
physical toll of a cancer diagnosis.
"For too long, a cancer diagnosis in this
country was whispered like a death sentence, not just biologically, but
financially. It was a 'catastrophic' illness in every sense of the word,
capable of wiping out a lifetime of savings in a single treatment cycle,"
said Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary, Department of Health. "But
(today), I am here to tell you that the narrative is changing. Under the banner
of Universal Health Care and our 8-Point Action Agenda, we are moving from a
position of fear to a position of 'readiness.' A Cancer-Ready Philippines is a
nation where the quality of your care is determined by the urgency of your
need, not the weight of your wallet."
"Cancer is a formidable foe, but it is
not invincible. We are building a healthcare system that is inclusive,
proactive, and, above all, deeply human," Herbosa added.
The GMM focused on several critical areas,
including strengthening prevention programs, advancing digital health solutions
for early detection, developing financing models that make cancer care more
accessible, and scaling human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations and other
interventions. The event featured talks examining the DOH’s priorities and the
role of private sector partners in expanding cancer care access.
To help address the growing impact of cancer,
Manulife is strengthening its focus on longevity, prevention, and financial
protection. In 2025, Manulife launched
its global Longevity Institute, a platform for research, innovation, thought
leadership, advocacy, and partnerships. The Institute is backed by a CA$350
million investment through 2030 to help people live longer, healthier, and more
financially secure lives. Here in the country, Manulife Philippines also recently
partnered with AC Health on cancer prevention and care programs,
reinforcing its commitment to help Filipinos prepare for
the risks of critical illness. This commitment is underscored by a recent study
showing that 41% of medical spending is out of pocket and 33% of Filipinos feel
their health insurance coverage is insufficient.
“We at Manulife are on a mission to make
decisions easier, and lives better for our customers, and we know that cancer
and other diseases are a challenge to these. That’s why we remain deeply
committed to respond with urgency and compassion,” said Rahul Hora,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “By working
with likeminded collaborators such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, fellow
businesses and organizations, and with the support from the Department of
Health, we can build a future where our kababayans do not face a cancer
diagnosis with fear and financial uncertainty, but with hope, support, and
access to the right care.”
With a history of 119 years of serving
Filipino customers’ evolving health and protection needs, Manulife Philippines
supports a whole-of-society approach to understanding the patient journey in
cancer care. This means recognizing the different dimensions of their condition
and the support that they need: from awareness and early detection to access to
healthcare and treatment, strong financial protection, emotional and
psychological care, and continuity of care across all stages.
“CanCham is mobilizing our network and
convening our member-organizations to align employers, insurers, and health
innovators around early detection, digital pathways, and sustainable financing,
so patients are guided from diagnosis to survivorship,” said Christopher
Ilagan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in
the Philippines. “The collaboration between Canada and the Philippines,
with private sector leadership from companies like Manulife, demonstrates our
shared commitment to addressing one of the country’s most urgent healthcare
needs.”
Resources:
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Philippine Statistics Authority - https://psahelpline.ph/blogs/heartbreaking-numbers-understanding-the-philippines-leading-causes-of-death
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Manulife’s Asia Care Survey - https://www.manulife.com.ph/about-us/thought-leadership/asia-care-survey/2024/physical-and-mental-well-being.html
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Manulife Longevity Institute - https://www.manulife.com/ca/en/about-us/longevity-institute
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In Wellness and In Health study - https://www.manulife.com.ph/about-us/manulife-studies/in-wellness-and-in-health.html
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