21/08/2025
𝗡𝗜𝗥’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗯 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆
By RJ Dejilla
Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital's blossoming Cancer Care Center marks its fruitful launch of the new Home of Hope as the leading public cancer treatment facility finally inaugurated its two-story building yesterday, operating on August 26.
Tracing back history, cancer has persistently plagued Negros Occidental, often referred to as "The Big C" and stigmatized as a disease exclusive to the wealthy, resulting in thousands of fatalities annually across the Philippines.
This sparked the journey of the Cancer Care Center in the province, which started in 1994 when Dr. Adonis Guancia, along with the FACES Foundation and the Andres Soriano Foundation, set up an oncology unit on Negros Island. Years later, the FACES Foundation conducted a significant study that exposed the alarming impact of cancer in Negros Occidental.
During this period, a staggering total of 6,444 cancer cases were recorded across the region.
Breast cancer emerged as a particularly pressing concern, accounting for 1,348 of these cases.
In the latest study of the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organization, the number of breast cancer cases has ballooned like never before, reaching 33,079 out of 188,976 cancer cases in the Philippines, of which 106,912 are women, with a death rate of 56,506.
The situation back then was particularly devastating for women diagnosed with breast cancer, as nearly 40% of them did not undergo necessary surgical procedures. This dire statistic stemmed primarily from a lack of financial resources, leaving many without access to the vital medical interventions they needed.
Everyone is in danger. Kids are not safe. Women-- your mother, wife, and daughters-- are not exempted.
But now, cancer treatment is accessible, comprehensive, and affordable, making cancer care reachable to all.
The newly constructed two-story Cancer Care Center has facilities such as patient and family counseling and patient chemotherapy on the ground floor. The 2nd level houses the Child Life Program Clinic, Survivorship/Quality of Life Clinic, Cancer Research Office, Oncology Pharmacy, etc., accepting 40 chemotherapy patients of all ages starting on August 6.
This government-owned facility was initiated by then Medical Center Chief II, Dr. Drilon, and Dr. Guancia and funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Health (DOH), which was made possible by the former Bacolod City Lone District Representative, now City Mayor Greg Gasataya.
Its establishment marks a significant advancement in the community's healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that individuals battling cancer have access to essential resources and specialized care.