Quezon City Is Providing Free Contraceptives, Pap Tests, Breast Examinations + More This Women's Month

(SPOT.ph) Most local government units celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8, but Quezon City is taking it up a notch by having various initiatives lined up for the whole of Women’s Month. From breast cancer assessments to the provision of reading glasses to eyebrow shaping services, there’s a little bit of something for every woman in Quezon City—and it’s all for free!

Many of its scheduled activities have already lapsed from March 1 to 8, but there are still plenty to watch out for in the coming weeks. We list down what you need to know below.

Also read: The Fight for Women's Rights: A Short "Herstory" of International Women's Day

Quezon City is holding the following activities for Women’s Month:

Free health checkups

The Quezon City Protection Center will be providing free Pap smear testing for the entire March. Those who wish to be part of the program can visit the Quezon City Protection Center (QCPC) at the QC General Hospital from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Partnering with the Philippine Cancer Society, Quezon City is also providing free breast cancer assessment and laboratory tests for 20,000 women at its pilot site in Barangay Commonwealth.

Meanwhile, QC District 3 is putting a prime on family planning program through the offering of cervical cancer screenings, breast examinations, and contraceptive implants at the following locations:

• March 14 – Escopa Health Center
• March 17 – Murphy Health Center
• March 22 – Ermin Garcia Health Center
• March 23 – Pansol Health Center
• March 24 – Project 4 Health Center
• March 30 – E. Rodriguez Health Center

On March 11, a mini caravan will also be stationed to offer Pap smear and breast ultrasound from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exact venue is to be announced.

Free wellness programs

QC District 1 can benefit from a massage wellness program, to be held in the following barangays:

• March 17 – Barangay Paltok
• March 18 – Barangay Maharlika and Barangay Paltok
• March 25 – Barangay San Isidro Labrador

Want to be in better shape? QC District 6 will be hosting a Zumba Marathon for Women on March 18; venue to be announced. If Zumba is too calm for your liking, there’s also the Juan Day Basketball League for Women happening at the Silvina Covered Court in Barangay Talipapa on March 25.

Lactating mothers can also opt to donate excess breast milk to the government milk banks through Quezon City’s milk-letting activities in the following barangays:

• March 13 – Payatas A Health Center, Barangay Payatas
• March 14 – Payatas Super Health Center, Barangay Payatas
• March 27 – Veterans Health Center, Barangay Holy Spirit

Free salon services

How we feel about ourselves is just as important as our physical health.

With that said, QC District 2 will be offering a free eyebrow shaping service in Barangay Payatas on March 21, while QC District 6 will be offering a free manicure, haircut, and hot oil at Marcel Covered Court in Barangay Pasong Tamo on March 15 and Asamba Court in Barangay Baesa on March 29.

More free haircuts and facials will be available in the following locations:

• March 11 – Barangay Batasan
• March 17 – Barangay Commonwealth
• March 28 – Barangay Batasan Hills
• March 31 – Barangay Payatas

Free livelihood training

Livelihood training for women entrepreneurs is scheduled at the Quezon City Hall grounds. Sari-sari store women owners also will be given financial assistance through the Small Income Generating Assistance Program. In the past, the “Tindahan ni Ate Joy” program gave sari-sari stores to 2,7000 women who are either single mothers or have gone through abuse.

Other livelihood opportunities include Dress Making Training for QC District 4 on March 14 at Barangay Horseshoe. Those who are willing to commit to a longer training can opt for the Food and Beverage Servicing at Barangay San Martin de Porres. This will take three months of training to start on March 22.

The buying and selling community can also gather at the POP QC – Women’s Month Bazaar at the QC Hall Quadrangle from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 31.

Also read: This New QC Ordinance Supports Local Women Entrepreneurs

Free supplies

QC District 6 will be distributing hygiene kits and supplements as part of its Women’s Month Caravan at Marcel Covered Court in Barangay Pasong Tamo on March 15 and Asamba Court in Barangay Baesa on March 29. Distribution of reading glasses will also be provided in Barangay Bahay Toro on March 17.

When it comes to transportation, Quezon City has provided an initial 600 bicycles to women workers to save money on the commute and to help lower carbon emissions in the city.

In line with this environment-friendly initiative, the Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Development will also be giving away a reusable bag to the first 10 women daily who will trade in at least one kilogram of recyclables at the Trash to Cashback program starting March 13.

Also read: Here’s Where You Can Exchange Trash for Cash in Quezon City

Free seminars

Have time to spare? There are a few seminars taking place that are worth the listen:

• March 14 – Teenage Pregnancy at Barangay Gulod
• March 21 - Positive Parenting and Responsible Parenthood (Webinar)
• March 31 - Filipino Sign Language Training with TBA venue

Free government services

Women who need to get their personal documentations in order will be glad to know that Quezon City is offering a free certified true copy (CTC) of Civil Registry documents for the first 10 clients per day at the City Civil Registry Department until the end of the month.

Meanwhile, there will be an SSS Service on Wheels in Barangay Bungad on March 31.

You can check out the Calendar for Women’s Month for the full list of activities.

Also read: Quezon City Launches an Online One-Stop-Shop for Vendor Registration