Church Donation Boosts Women’s Health Services in Bulacan

In a spirit of faith and community partnership, the Malolos Philippines Stake (Diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a meaningful turnover ceremony at the Malolos Stake Center on June 10. Local leaders and health officials from Bulacan gathered to strengthen cervical cancer prevention efforts in the province.

During the event, the Church officially turned over vital medical equipment—including twenty-five (25) vaginal specula and a medical-grade autoclave—to local government units. This donation aims to improve access to women’s health screening and ensure safe, hygienic procedures in Bulacan’s Rural Health Units (RHUs).

Elder and Sister Webb, humanitarian missionaries for the Church’s Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Services, facilitated the donation in support of the Bulacan Cervical Cancer Screening Project, a province-wide initiative focused on eliminating cervical cancer through early detection and education.

"It was a remarkable, milestone and breakthrough event," said Dr. Edwin Tecson, Chief Provincial Health Officer. "This is the first time that the Provincial Health Office will collaborate with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are truly grateful for the opportunity you have given to us for the province of Bulacan."

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Dr. Tecson noted that the donation will benefit all 24 local government units (LGUs) in the province, with plans to ensure regular screenings in each health unit per LGU. The initiative contributes to the goal of screening 37,185 women.

"This will impact the lives of now only women, but the families of the women we will be serving," he added. "We will target at least 35-50% of the total target. We hope to achieve this with collaborative efforts."

The seminar held prior to the turnover set the stage for the donation ceremony, reinforcing the importance of early detection and preventive care. It was part of a broader initiative to localize cervical cancer elimination planning and reorient school-based immunization (SBI) programs.

Multiple health officials, including representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) in Bulacan, addressed challenges encountered during HPV immunizations and discussed effective strategies for implementation in public schools.

Dr. Erika Katrina Roldan, acting municipal health officer of Bulakan, Bulacan, emphasized the significance of the Church’s donation. “This is very helpful,” she said. “We’ve had times when we only had eight Pap smear tools—still hot from the autoclave—and we’d use them just to keep going. Now, we can provide better, safer service.”

Dr. Ayoni Rosene Ajose of Balagtas RHU also expressed appreciation, noting that financial limitations often hinder access to essential medical tools. “Early screening is critical, especially in cancer care. The earlier, the better the outcome,” she said.

The Church’s support for this initiative is part of its global humanitarian mission to promote self-reliance and improve health outcomes in communities of all backgrounds, regardless of faith.

Through its humanitarian arm, Latter-day Saint Charities (LDS Charities), the Church supports initiatives in cervical cancer prevention, maternal and child health, and immunization, in collaboration with local governments and civic organizations.

In her remarks, Sister Webb reflected on the Church’s ongoing collaboration with local leaders in improving women’s health and praised the health workers’ commitment to preventive care.

"You are bringing mothers home to their children, women to their husbands," Sister Webb shared, emphasizing that the collaborative efforts align with the shared mission of saving lives and strengthening families."

Inspired by the Savior’s example of ministering to those in need, the turnover reflects the Church’s humanitarian efforts to support community-based health programs nationwide—fostering awareness, encouraging collaboration, and affirming the shared vision of a healthier future for Filipino women.