First cancer access site in Caraga to rise in Agusan Sur
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — The first cancer access site (CAS) in the Caraga region will soon rise at the Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (DOPMH) in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, bringing specialized cancer care services closer to patients. The facility is expected to become operational by November 2026.
The establishment of the CAS aims to strengthen cancer care services in the province by providing easier access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment. It is expected to reduce the financial burden on patients who currently travel long distances, particularly to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, to receive cancer care.
“Cancer is the number two worldwide cause of death. Based on our census here in DOPMH, many patients from Agusan del Sur and Butuan are diagnosed with cancer and need to travel to SPMC. That is why there is a plan to establish a Cancer Access Site here in Agusan del Sur so patients can benefit and save on medical and transportation expenses,” said Gemmary Parcon, nurse II of DOPMH.
Aside from the funding provided by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS), the project will also receive support from the Department of Health (DOH) through the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF), which provides financial assistance for cancer-related medications and treatment.
“This is funded by the PGAS, and there is also funding from the Department of Health through the CAF that can help patients with cancer, especially since cancer treatment is very expensive,” said Parcon.
“When the building is completed, we can officially begin treatment services, including individualized treatment plans for patients with cancer,” said Parcon.
She emphasized that the Cancer Treatment Unit will serve not only Agusan del Sur but the entire Caraga region by promoting early screening and preventive healthcare.
“The Cancer Treatment Unit is here in DOPMH. Our program aims to make early cancer screening more accessible to the people of Caraga because prevention is better than cure. The earlier you get screened, the better your chances of preventing the disease from becoming worse,” she added.
Although the Cancer Treatment Unit is still under construction, DOPMH has already begun offering cancer screening services, laboratory examinations, and diagnostic tests. The hospital’s laboratory now performs various tumor marker tests, while an oncologist is available to interpret laboratory results and provide medical guidance.
“We have different laboratory equipment that we use for processing surgical biopsy specimens submitted to the clinical laboratory, particularly in the Histopathology Section. Samples subjected to cancer diagnostics are already processed here,” said Orbelson Costibolo of the DOPMH.
Through these expanded services, the hospital hopes to widen access to early cancer detection and laboratory diagnostics, allowing patients to receive timely interventions before the disease progresses.
The establishment of the Cancer Access Site at Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital reflects the joint commitment of the PGAS and the DOH to make quality cancer care more accessible to every Caraganon.
Through combined local and national government interventions—from infrastructure development and specialized medical services to financial assistance under the CAF, the facility is expected to serve as a regional hub for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Once operational, it will reduce the need for patients across Caraga to travel outside the region, bringing life-saving healthcare closer to the communities that need it most. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur with a report of PTV Agusan del Sur)