Lawmakers push HPV vaccination for boys

Lawmakers and health advocates are pushing for wider HPV vaccination coverage, including boys, while urging government agencies to maximize Gender and Development (GAD) funds for cervical cancer prevention and early detection.

The proposals were raised during the launch of the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas Asia-Pacific 2026 at the House of Representatives, which brought together legislators, health experts, civil society groups and cervical cancer survivors to discuss gaps in the country’s HPV prevention efforts.

The Philippines scored 71.6 percent, or “Good,” in the Atlas assessment of national HPV prevention policies. However, the country continues to lag several Southeast Asian neighbors, with HPV vaccination coverage among females below 30 percent and cervical cancer screening participation below 15 percent.

Under the Department of Health’s school-based immunization program, the 4-valent HPV vaccine is currently given to eligible female public school students aged 9 to 14.

Health experts said expanding vaccination to boys could provide direct protection against HPV-related diseases and help reduce transmission. Neil Datta, executive director of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, said gender-neutral vaccination is necessary to achieve broader HPV protection.

“You can only achieve the elimination of HPV if you also vaccinate boys. That’s the first thing to consider,” Datta said.

Albay 1st District Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman, meanwhile, stressed that funding must translate into actual access to health services.

“The policy is only as good as the implementation. Even if it is good on paper, but it is not implemented, even if there is funding but it is not used in the right and appropriate way, nothing will happen,” Lagman said.

She also pointed to GAD funds as a potential resource for HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and other preventive services, particularly for women in far-flung communities.

Lagman said existing health financing mechanisms should also help address transportation and other out-of-pocket costs that prevent families from accessing vaccination, screening and treatment.

The discussions underscored the need to close the gap between policy and actual protection through better funding, implementation and access to preventive care.