Mandaue City Redefines Reproductive Care through Women’s Health Caravan

Mandaue City, a bustling center in Central Visayas, is proving that when reproductive health becomes a priority, women’s empowerment follows. For years, reproductive health services in the city were sparse—available only once a week, with just five trained providers serving thousands. Women, especially working mothers and adolescents, struggled to access timely and respectful care.

Cultural stigma and logistical barriers only deepened the gaps. That began to change in 2023, when Mandaue City joined The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines, a global platform, co-managed by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, that helps cities implement evidence-based, high-impact practices for reproductive health. The city faced a wake-up call: city reports revealed that adolescent birth rates had jumped from 14 per 1,000 girls in 2021 to 35 per 1,000 in 2023—more than double in just two years.

From Problem to Purpose

To respond, Mayor Jonas Cortes mobilized a City Leadership Team (CLT) composed of healthcare professionals, barangay officials, NGO partners, and youth advocates. With TCI’s technical coaching, Mandaue began scaling up its family planning and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) programs, embedding rights-based, client-centered care into the city’s health system.

One major innovation: the Women’s Health Caravan (WHC)—a mobile outreach program designed to bring care directly to women in their communities. Launched in March 2024, the WHC is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: healthcare should be accessible, convenient, and empowering.

Services under the caravan include:

• Free consultations and pre/postnatal care
• Contraceptive services including implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Cervical and breast cancer screenings
• Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and counseling
• Adolescent-friendly, age-appropriate health services
• Health education on mental health, body image, and informed choice

At each site, the caravan begins with open discussions on reproductive rights and agency. Women are not only given access to services—they are encouraged to understand and assert their right to choose.

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Results That Matter

Since the caravan’s launch, Mandaue has seen promising results. According to City reports:

• The modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) rose from 27% in 2023 to 30% in 2024, meeting the national target for the first time.
• The adolescent birth rate (ABR) decreased from 35 to 29 per 1,000 girls, signaling improved access to youth-responsive services.

To complement mobile outreach, Mandaue also opened the ‘Pink Corner’ at Parkmall—a permanent, woman-focused health space offering services such as breast check-up, pap smear, mental health consultation, and HIV testing in a welcoming environment.

Investing in Long-Term Impact

The city’s commitment isn’t just about short-term wins. From 2024 to 2025, Mandaue increased its local budget for reproductive health by 381%—a bold statement of political will. These funds support operations, training, outreach, and continued innovation in service delivery.

All 27 family planning providers across city health facilities have undergone Family Planning Competency-Based Training (FPCBT), focusing not only on clinical expertise but also on client dignity and respect. The Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas provided oversight to ensure quality and alignment with national health policies.

A Network of Support

Mandaue’s progress stems from strong partnerships:

• DOH-Central Visayas guided the city in integrating the ‘Life Stage Approach’ for UHC.
• Commission on Population and Development Region VII helped align services with population and development planning.
• Local women’s groups and schools extended outreach to underserved communities and young people.

Together, they created a system grounded in local realities, but aligned with national goals.

Looking Ahead

As Mandaue continues its journey, the Women’s Health Caravan is more than just a program. It is a declaration: that every woman, no matter her age, location, or income, deserves the right to make informed decisions about her health.

As City Health Officer Dr. Debra Catulong affirms, “this is what happens when healthcare is made human. When services are local, consistent, and rooted in trust, behavior change becomes possible—and lives are changed in the process.”

In Mandaue, the future of reproductive health is mobile, inclusive, and driven by choice.