ANGELES CITY — Some 221 female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology here on March 20, 2023 received their free pap smear, breast examination and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test.
This is the first time that the city government, under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., has conducted free pap smear to female PDLs, putting their welfare a priority.
According to Gender and Development Officer Mina Cabiles, this is also part of the celebration of Women’s Month.
Lazatin even allotted P50,000 from his personal salary to sponsor the said medical services.
“Sa katunayan po, bagamat lagi silang una sa ating prayoridad, ngayon lang po natin ito nagawa na mabigyan sila ng ganitong klase ng mga libreng tests,” Lazatin said.
Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel also donated P30,000 to augment the said tests from their own pocket.
Among the team who personally went to BJMP are members of the GAD, and City Health Office, led by Dr. Verona Guevarra and Nurse Supervisor Evelinda Mariano.
According to Cabiles, the free pap smear, breast examination and HIV tests are part of the observance of this year’s National Women’s month celebration.
“Patuloy po nating gagawing accessible ang mga serbisyong medikal, kung kinakailangan pong dalhin natin mismo sa kanila, gagawin po natin. Tulad po ngayon, tayo na po mismo ang pupunta sa kanila,” Lazatin ensures.
Meanwhile, the city government finished to cater 1,650 Angeleñas with free pap smears and breast examination throughout the campaign, which started last March 1.
Pap smear is a medical test conducted to detect cervical cancer.
