We transform oncology nursing practice and cancer care in the Philippines.
PONA is dedicated to promoting excellence in oncology nursing across the Philippines.
We develop and empower our nurses through continuous education, fostering leadership, and embracing interdisciplinary collaboration.
By innovating in cancer care, research, and technology integration, we strive to make a lasting impact on peoples’ lives.
At the heart of any organization are its core values and principles by which it conducts itself.
PONA members profess to be guided by the core values of “P.O.N.A.”
signifies that the organization places high importance on enthusiasm, commitment, and genuine interest in its mission, vision and responsibilities. Drives creativity and innovation leading to continuous improvement.
ongoing efforts to establish an internal framework of standards and processes
act of caring for, supporting and fostering the growth of our members and stakeholders
to actively promote and support a cause, policy, belief system on behalf of the organization
The Philippine Oncology Nurses Association, Inc. (PONA) is an accredited nursing specialty organization of professional nurses by the Professional Regulatory Commission Board of Nursing (PRC BON). The organization, which is non-profit, non-political, and non-sectarian in nature, is composed of nurses involved and/or interested in the care of clients with cancer. PONA was formally recognized in 1993 during the term as President of Dr. Antonio Villalon in the Philippine Society of Oncologists. He called on a group of nurses working in different hospitals within Metro Manila through the Directors of Nursing Service. It was his plan to organize a group of oncology nurses to act as partners in care with the Philippine Society of Oncologists.
There were only a few representative nurses who responded to the call and these were from the Ospital ng Maynila, Santo Tomas University Hospital, National Children’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center, St. Paul’s College of Nursing, University of the Philippines College of Nursing and the Philippine General Hospital. The initial meeting was held in the Cancer Institute Auditorium presided by Dr. Villalon.
From an initial group of nine founding members, there are now more than 1500 members in the association.
At the first Oathtaking of PONA is Dr. Antonio Villalon extending his
congratulations to the founding President, Carmencita M. Abaquin and
Founding Vice-President, Cecilia G. Peña
First Oathtaking of PONA Officers, 1994 held at Ciudad
Fernandina, in Greenhills with Dr. Antonio Villalon as Inducting
Officer
“During the term of office of Dr. Antonio H. Villalon as president of the Philippine Society of Oncologists in 1993, he realized that the increasing number of cancer patients required nurses equipped with the right attitude and necessary knowledge and skills in the field of oncology nursing. Part of his dreams during his term as PSO president was to establish an organization of nurses whose leaders were in the field of cancer nursing. He started calling on directors of nursing services of various hospitals with cancer centers to organize the nursing specialty of oncology nurses.
Little did we realize that the dream of Dr. Villalon would become a reality. The Philippine Oncology Nurses Association was born in 1993.”
Source: Business Inquirer
“She was known for her contributions to the Nursing profession, and for being a dynamic and inspirational leader as Chair, Board of Nursing and Founding Officer of Philippine Oncology Nurses Association. Her expertise in Medical Surgical Nursing with subspecialty in Oncology Nursing paved the way for her legacy in greatly broadening and advancing the Nursing profession and practice in the Philippines.”
