In commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, lady lawmakers of the 19th Congress are pushing for greater awareness on the dreaded disease.
On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), which consists of 85 women lawmakers, and the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality chaired by Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman led the House in kicking off the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The AWLFI, the Soroptimist International of Ortigas and Environs, and the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCS) held an “Awareness Talk on Breast and Cervix Health” and even offered free breast and cervical screening during the Oct. 6 ceremony.
AWLFI President Bulacan 4th district Rep. Linabelle Villarica, in her opening remarks, called for awareness from women working in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.
She said that women in this industry face a higher risk of breast cancer due to their night time work schedule.
“As per our data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) way back in 2016, the BPO industry in the Philippines that had already reached 1.3 million was already composed of 53.2 percent women,” Villarica said in her address.
Beauty queens Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2022 Ingrid Santa Maria and Miss World Philippines Tourism 2022 Justine Felizarta also attended the ceremony.