4 February 2026, Quezon City, Philippines – The Government of Quezon City and City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) have come together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in the presence of Philippine Cancer Society and Quezon City Health Department, marking a shared commitment to advancing equitable, accessible, and high-quality cancer care in the city.
Coinciding with World Cancer Day, the announcement underscored the importance of collective action and sustained systems strengthening to improve cancer outcomes for all.
Situated immediately northeast of Manila, Quezon City is the largest city in Metropolitan Manila with an estimated population of approximately 3.2 million people. According to national data, cancer was the second leading cause of death among Filipinos with lung, liver, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers being the most common.
Quezon City’s onboarding as a C/Can City reflects its strong political commitment and robust multistakeholder mobilisation, demonstrating a shared vision to strengthen the city’s healthcare system and to advance equitable cancer care in the city.
In 2024, the Quezon City Council passed City Ordinance SP-3285, S-2024, institutionalising the first integrated cancer control policy in the Philippines, establishing a comprehensive approach to address the disease.
This partnership with City Cancer Challenge is a significant step toward strengthening our collective response to cancer. By working closely with local and international partners, we aim to make quality cancer care more accessible and equitable for every Filipino.
Hon. Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City.
As a significant economic hub in the region, Quezon City is well-positioned to contribute to innovative, locally adapted, sustainable cancer care solutions that can serve as a model for other cities in the region.
C/Can partners with cities in low-and middle-income countries to transform how cancer care is planned and delivered, strengthening local health systems and building sustainable, community-driven solutions from the ground up. By engaging diverse stakeholders across the private and public sectors, including hospitals, health authorities, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and patients, C/Can supports cities in identifying priority needs, designing and implementing practical, long-term, localised solutions.
In Quezon City, C/Can will work hand-in-hand with local and national partners to co-create tailored, scalable solutions that strengthen cancer care services and advance equitable access to quality care across the Philippines. City Cancer Challenge is honoured to welcome Quezon City as its seventeenth city, joining a global movement of urban leaders committed to reimagining the future of cancer care.
We are thrilled to welcome Quezon City into the C/Can network. This collaboration underscores the city’s leadership and commitment to building sustainable, inclusive cancer care. Together, we will translate local innovation into global learning that advances equitable cancer care for everyone, everywhere.
Isabel Mestres, CEO, City Cancer Challenge (C/Can)
C/Can and its cities drive systemic change in cancer care through a ten-year, step-by-step model, the City Engagement Process Framework (CEPF). This locally led process empowers stakeholders to uncover the gaps and power the system to drive equitable cancer care in their city. In Quezon City, the process will be guided by a local governance body, the City Executive Committee (CEC), supported by a dedicated City Manager and C/Can experts, ensuring that every action responds to the community’s needs.
Quezon City’s inclusion in the C/Can network marks a milestone for cancer care in the region. By joining our community of cities in Asia, Quezon City will help accelerate regional learning, foster collaboration, and strengthen systems that make equitable cancer care a reality.
Chika Kitajima, Regional Director for Asia, C/Can
To date, C/Can has worked with three cities in the region: Greater Petaling (Malaysia), Yangon (Myanmar) and Phnom Penh (Cambodia). C/Can in Quezon City will also be supported by the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI), a key stakeholder in advancing accessible, quality cancer care from the ground up.
We welcome this collaboration as an opportunity to bring together government, civil society, and health institutions in the shared mission to improve cancer outcomes. Working with C/Can and Quezon City, we can make meaningful strides in access, quality, and sustainability of cancer care.
Dr. Corazon A. Ngelangel, President, PCSI
