Cancer is one of the toughest battles a Filipino family can face — not just emotionally, but financially.
Every test, scan, and treatment can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of pesos. For many, it means choosing between survival and debt.
To change that story, the Department of Health (DOH) launched the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) — a program designed to make sure no Filipino has to face cancer alone or untreated simply because of cost.
What Is the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF)?
The Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) is a government program under the Department of Health (DOH), created through Republic Act 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA).
It provides direct financial assistance to cancer patients, survivors, and even individuals considered at high risk for the disease.
Unlike traditional health benefits that focus only on hospitalization, the CAF covers a patient’s entire cancer journey — from screening and diagnosis to treatment, follow-up care, and survivorship support.
The goal is simple but transformative: to ensure that cancer care in the Philippines is timely, affordable, and equitable, especially for indigent and vulnerable patients.
Objectives of the Cancer Assistance Fund
Cancer is a long, expensive battle. CAF was established to close the gaps that many families encounter when navigating treatment. Its main objectives are to:
- Ensure early access to cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients undergoing care.
- Promote equitable access to specialized cancer services across all regions.
- Complement PhilHealth’s Z Benefit Packages and other health programs.
By bridging the gap between hospital coverage and total medical cost, the CAF turns government support into real relief for families in crisis.
Budget and Funding
For 2025, the national government allocated ₱3 billion for the Cancer Control Program, which includes the Cancer Assistance Fund.
These funds are distributed to 34 DOH-accredited Cancer Access Sites nationwide — major hospitals equipped to handle cancer screening, treatment, and follow-up.
In comparison, the 2024 allocation was ₱1.25 billion, but only 47 percent was fully utilized due to limited awareness and complex paperwork.
This low utilization rate prompted both the Senate and DOH to strengthen public information drives and simplify access.
The expanded 2025 budget is a clear signal: the government intends to reach more patients, faster.
What Does the CAF Cover?
The CAF can be used for a wide range of services that most Filipinos struggle to afford. Here’s what’s included:
- Cancer Screening and Early Detection – Mammograms, biomarker testing, pap smears, and other preventive tests.
- Diagnostics and Laboratory Services – Imaging, biopsies, blood tests, and molecular testing.
- Therapeutic Procedures – Surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Medicines and Supportive Care – Cancer drugs, pain relief, and palliative support.
- Follow-up and Survivorship Care – Monitoring, counseling, and rehabilitation after treatment.
Each of these areas targets a stage in the patient’s journey, reducing the chances that care stops midway due to cost.
Priority Cancer Types
While the CAF aims to assist all cancer types, the DOH has identified eight priority cancers based on national prevalence and mortality data:
| No. | Priority Cancer Type | Notes |
| 1 | Breast cancer | Highest incidence among Filipino women. |
| 2 | Childhood cancers | Includes leukemia and lymphomas. |
| 3 | Gynecologic cancers | Cervical, ovarian, and uterine. |
| 4 | Liver & colorectal cancers | Linked to lifestyle and late detection. |
| 5 | Head & neck cancers | Includes thyroid, oral, and laryngeal. |
| 6 | Lung cancer | One of the most fatal and costly to treat. |
| 7 | Prostate cancer | Common among older men. |
| 8 | Urinary bladder & kidney cancers | Often detected late due to mild early symptoms. |
These categories help DOH prioritize limited funds while ensuring coverage remains as inclusive as possible.
How to Access the Cancer Assistance Fund
Applying for the CAF requires visiting a DOH-designated Cancer Access Site — specialized hospitals with oncology services and trained social workers who process requests.
Step-by-Step Process
- Go to a Cancer Access Site such as:
- Philippine General Hospital (PGH)
- Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center
- Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
- Southern Philippines Medical Center (Davao)
- Region 1 Medical Center (Pangasinan)
- Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (Legazpi)
- Submit your requirements:
- Medical abstract or diagnosis from an oncologist
- Valid government ID
- Proof of indigency (if applicable)
- Treatment plan and cost estimate
- Proceed to the hospital’s social service office.
The application will be evaluated and endorsed to the DOH Cancer Control and Prevention Division. - Wait for assessment and approval.
The amount of assistance varies based on treatment type, hospital costs, and remaining funds at the access site.
Tip: Combine CAF with PhilHealth Benefits
Patients can use PhilHealth Z Benefits or Konsulta packages alongside CAF.
This allows partial hospital coverage from PhilHealth and additional funding from CAF for diagnostics, medications, and follow-up care.
By maximizing both, families can drastically lower out-of-pocket expenses.
Impact and Challenges
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the Philippines — claiming roughly 96 lives every day.
The CAF’s introduction is a major milestone, yet the fight against inequitable care continues.
Positive Impact So Far
- Thousands of patients received financial support since 2023.
- CAF funds now reach regional hospitals, not just Metro Manila.
- Coordination with PhilHealth ensures complementary benefits.
Ongoing Challenges
- Low utilization: Many patients still don’t know CAF exists or how to apply.
- Bureaucratic processes: Requirements and approvals can take weeks.
- Limited access sites: Rural patients often travel hours to reach accredited hospitals.
- Need for precision medicine: Advocacy groups urge inclusion of biomarker testing and advanced therapies.
Groups like Hope From Within, Cancer Warriors Foundation, and Philippine Cancer Society continue to lobby for faster fund release and expansion of cancer-specific services in public hospitals.
The Role of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (RA 11215)
The National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), signed in 2019, serves as the legal backbone for the CAF.
Its vision is to make cancer services affordable, integrated, and accessible to all Filipinos — regardless of age, gender, or income.
Key features of RA 11215:
- Establishes the National Integrated Cancer Control Council (NICCC).
- Mandates the creation of Cancer Care Centers and Access Sites nationwide.
- Promotes public-private partnerships for cancer treatment and research.
- Guarantees financial risk protection through government subsidies and insurance.
The CAF is the law’s financial arm — turning legislative promises into tangible help for patients.
Where to Get Help or More Information
- DOH Cancer Control and Prevention Division
- Trunkline: (02) 8651-7800 local 1750–1753
- Email: cancercontrol@doh.gov.ph
- DOH Official Website: www.doh.gov.ph
- Philippine Cancer Society: (02) 8742-8390
- Hope From Within (Advocacy Group): hopefromwithin.org
You can also ask your hospital’s social service office for guidance on CAF forms and available funds.
Watch: VOICE OF RESILIENCE DOH CANCER CARE
A mother once believed cancer was the end—until she found help through the Cancer Assistance Fund.
The Department of Health launched the program to widen access to treatment, offer financial relief, and bring free medicines closer to patients.
Hospitals like SPMC and Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center now guide families through prescriptions, lab tests, and emotional support without the heavy cost.
Social workers and medical teams work hand in hand, helping patients move from diagnosis to healing with dignity.
Through RA11215, cancer care in the Philippines becomes more reachable, more compassionate, and more hopeful for every Filipino family.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the CAF?
Any Filipino patient diagnosed with cancer, survivor needing follow-up, or individual at high risk, subject to DOH evaluation. - Where can I apply?
At any DOH-accredited Cancer Access Site. A complete list is available on the DOH website. - How much assistance can I receive?
Amounts vary per case. CAF may cover diagnostics, medications, or partial treatment costs. - Is CAF separate from PhilHealth?
Yes. CAF is managed by DOH but can be used together with PhilHealth benefits. - What documents are required?
Medical abstract, valid ID, proof of indigency (if applicable), and treatment plan.
Final Thoughts
For decades, the biggest challenge in cancer care was cost — not just the price of medicines, but the hidden expenses of transportation, time, and hope.
The Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) changes that narrative.
It ensures that help is available from the moment a lump is detected to the day a survivor rings the hospital bell.
Still, its success depends on one crucial factor: awareness.
When patients, doctors, and local governments know where to go and how to apply, billions in assistance can save thousands more lives.
Cancer is never an easy fight, but with the right support system, it’s no longer one that Filipino families must face alone.