The Department of Health (DOH) has recognized Ilocos Norte for achieving a 90-percent vaccination coverage among young girls in public schools against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, making it the first province to reach the World Health Organization (WHO) standard.

DOH-Region 1 Director Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco handed the award to Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting at the capitol auditorium.

“This is a historical moment. It is a great pride and honor that we witness the declaration of Ilocos Norte as the first province to achieve a 90-percent accomplishment in HPV immunization coverage through the Ligtas Cervical Cancer Para sa Bawat Babae at Mag-ina program,” Araneta-Marcos said, lauding the collaborative efforts of local governments, government agencies, healthcare professionals, schools, parents and communities.

The achievement aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s cancer prevention and treatment as among the government’s health priorities, as stated in his State of the Nation Address last year.

In 2024, the municipality of Banna became the first in the country to achieve 90 percent HPV vaccination coverage, vaccinating 846 schoolgirls with the 4-valent HPV vaccine from DOH. Laoag City followed with a record-high 96 percent coverage among 9- to 14-year-olds. (PNA)