Inquirer, AC Health in ‘Working with Cancer’ partnership
The Philippine Daily Inquirer is now part of a growing initiative in the global business community that seeks to erase the stigma of cancer and foster a supportive environment for employees diagnosed with the disease and other chronic conditions.
In partnership with Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health), the Inquirer management recently signed the “Working with Cancer” pledge to demonstrate the company’s commitment to support anyone among its more than 200 employees and their family members who may be battling the “Big C.”
“As the first Philippine-based news organization to take the Working with Cancer pledge, Inquirer is not only taking a critical step in supporting its employees. It is also using its voice and platform to help shape how our society views cancer in the workplace,” AC Health president and CEO Paolo Borromeo said during the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Inquirer office in Makati City on April 8.
“It’s a powerful message: that support for cancer patients should not end at the hospital doors. It must be felt here in your newsroom, in policies, in culture, and in how we stand by our colleagues during some of their most difficult moments,” Borromeo added.
The Working for Cancer pledge was launched during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2023. The campaign was spearheaded by Arthur Sadoun, chair and CEO of the multinational advertising and public relations firm Publicis Groupe, after he was diagnosed with cancer himself.
More than 2,400 organizations accounting for over 30 million employees worldwide have since signed the pledge.
PH campaign
In the Philippines, the initiative is being led by AC Health, Publicis Groupe Philippines, and the People Management Association of the Philippines.
The Inquirer became the 17th company in the country to support it, joining a diverse corporate community representing more than 56,000 employees, including conglomerates like the Ayala Group of Companies.
“The Big C makes us vulnerable, depressed, lost, alone—but also hopeful,” said Connie Kalagayan, Inquirer assistant vice president for corporate affairs and executive director of the Inquirer Foundation.
“We are inspired that AC Health has launched this advocacy in the country. The Inquirer has always been, literally, a family member—emphatic, compassionate, sensitive to the needs and well-being of its employees,” she added.
The Inquirer, Kalagayan said, allows flexible work arrangements and an environment sensitive to mental health, where employees are “empowered to thrive and succeed professionally and personally.”
Possible linkages under the Inquirer-AC Health partnership are under discussion. Among them is tapping AC Health’s Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) in Taguig City for the screening and preventive care of Inquirer employees.
As the country’s first dedicated cancer specialty hospital, HCCH provides world-class treatment and other services for cancer patients at “competitive prices,” Borromeo said. This is made possible through partnerships with multinational companies like MSD, AstraZeneca, Roche and Takeda, as well as concerned government agencies.
2nd leading cause
Cancer consistently ranks among the top killer diseases in the country. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed it was the second leading cause of death in 2023, accounting for 74,042 fatalities or 10.7 percent of all recorded deaths that year. (Ischaemic heart diseases topped the list, with 129,300 deaths or 18.6 percent of the year’s total.)
From 2018 to 2022, a total of 466,012 cancer diagnoses were recorded in the country, according to the Global Cancer Observatory.
Having a ‘’trusted voice’’ like the Inquirer on board can help promote open and honest conversations about cancer that dispel myths and misconceptions, Borromeo said.
“By signing the pledge, Inquirer is not only supporting its own people, but also helping break the stigma around cancer for the broader public. You’re helping to rewrite the narrative—from fear and isolation, to one of resilience, dignity, and inclusion,” he added.
“We pledge to support AC Health in its education and info awareness campaign so that everyone who has to deal with cancer doesn’t feel alone and [is instead] equipped with the knowledge to courageously battle cancer through early screening, treatment and psychological support,” Kalagayan said.
Present during the MOU signing for AC Health were Borromeo; Dr. Beverly Ho, chief health officer; Dr. Via Morales, health affairs and policy advocacy manager; Rhys Buccat, strategy and communications manager; Dr. Rafa Abaya, strategy and communications officer; Dr. Ramy Roxas, HCCH chief operating officer; and Dr. Kaye Recto and Dr. Kevin Santos of the HCCH strategy and transformation department.
From the Inquirer were Kalagayan; Bianca Kasilag-Macahilig, corporate affairs officer; Kat Dalusong, vice president for advertising and Inquirer Group of Companies (IGC) group sales head; Jill Cruz, IGC sales and marketing senior coordinator; and Jose Gil Pineda, director for human resources.
