In line with the observance of the National Women’s Month Celebration with the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women”, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Caraga Region conducts an activity dubbed as“USAPANG IWAS BREAST CANCER” on March 5, 2019 at Big Daddy’s Hotel and Convention Center, J.C. Aquino Ave., Butuan City. The employees of the Department actively participate in the activity with Ms. Rowena O. Pabia of DOH-Caraga serves as the Resource Person.

DILG-XIII Assistant Regional Director Donald A. Seronay opens the activity with his message. He remarks that even his younger brother has a habit of touching the breast of his father; and his daughter also has a habit of touching the breast of her own mother.  He jokingly asks if such habit will form part of the activity’s discussion (Bisan akong igsoon naay habit sa paghikap sa totoy sa ako papa og bisan akong anak muhikap pod sa totoy sa iyang mama. Ambot lang kung apil ba ni siya sa mahisgutan karon nga activity ang bahin ani nga habit). Hilarious humours aside, ARD Seronay imparts to the participants the value of the information and learning they can get out of the activity.

The activity aims to make the Filipino community more aware on issues associated with cancer particularly the breast and cervix cancer so that they can take actions to prevent its ill consequences at all levels – individual, family and community health.

Additional input of the activity is the discussion on Mental Health as given by Ms. Levy S. Montañez of DOH-Caraga. The activity successfully ends with photo opportunity of the participants and the resource speakers.

By: Jason Ryan R. Lam, LGOO V / Charie G. Cuario, Stat II