Duterte signs HIV-AIDS law
Published Jan 9, 2019 03:13 pm
By Genalyn Kabiling
The government is moving to curb the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) in the country and provide proper care and support for those living with the disease based on a new law signed by President Duterte.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Barangay Summit on Peace and Order held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on January 8, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
The President has signed Republic Act No. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 last December 20, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
"We consider its enactment and signing timely and relevant on account of the report of the Department of Health disclosing that our country has the highest percentage relative to the the increase of new HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region from 2010 to 2016,” Panelo said in a statement.
"This piece of landmark legislation will significantly reduce the stigma of people living with HIV or AIDS,” he said.
Panelo also lauded Congress and other stakeholders for their contribution to the passage of an updated legal framework addressing HIV and AIDS.
The new law mandates the government to allocate more funds to promote HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment and require education about public health concerns in schools and communities.
"The Palace notes that the new law provides for the establishment of policies and programs to prevent the spread of the aforesaid epidemic and, at the same time, deliver proper treatment, care and support services to Filipinos living with HIV," Panelo said.
He said the HIV services would be "in accordance with evidence-based strategies and approaches which are in tune with key principles of human rights, gender equality and meaningful participation of communities."
Based on the copy of the law released by the Palace, the government will encourage voluntary HIV testing. Written consent from the person taking the test must be obtained before HIV testing.
The HIV test will be compulsory if a person is charged with a violation of the Anti-Rape Law of 1997; when it is necessary to resolve issues under the Family Code of the Philippines; and if a person wants to donate blood.
Under the law, the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) will be reconstituted and streamlined to ensure the implementation of the country's response to the HIV and AIDS situation.
The council, an attached agency of the Department of Health, is assigned to develop and implement the six-year AIDS Medium Term Plan (AMTP), a national must-sectoral strategic plan to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS in the country.
It will also strengthen government-private sector collaboration on HIV and AIDS services, monitor progress of the response to the situation, among others.
The council will include representatives from the DOH, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth Commission, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Budget and Management, Senate and House of Representatives, organizations of persons living with HIV and AIDS, and concerned nongovernment organizations.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Barangay Summit on Peace and Order held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on January 8, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
The President has signed Republic Act No. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 last December 20, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
"We consider its enactment and signing timely and relevant on account of the report of the Department of Health disclosing that our country has the highest percentage relative to the the increase of new HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region from 2010 to 2016,” Panelo said in a statement.
"This piece of landmark legislation will significantly reduce the stigma of people living with HIV or AIDS,” he said.
Panelo also lauded Congress and other stakeholders for their contribution to the passage of an updated legal framework addressing HIV and AIDS.
The new law mandates the government to allocate more funds to promote HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment and require education about public health concerns in schools and communities.
"The Palace notes that the new law provides for the establishment of policies and programs to prevent the spread of the aforesaid epidemic and, at the same time, deliver proper treatment, care and support services to Filipinos living with HIV," Panelo said.
He said the HIV services would be "in accordance with evidence-based strategies and approaches which are in tune with key principles of human rights, gender equality and meaningful participation of communities."
Based on the copy of the law released by the Palace, the government will encourage voluntary HIV testing. Written consent from the person taking the test must be obtained before HIV testing.
The HIV test will be compulsory if a person is charged with a violation of the Anti-Rape Law of 1997; when it is necessary to resolve issues under the Family Code of the Philippines; and if a person wants to donate blood.
Under the law, the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) will be reconstituted and streamlined to ensure the implementation of the country's response to the HIV and AIDS situation.
The council, an attached agency of the Department of Health, is assigned to develop and implement the six-year AIDS Medium Term Plan (AMTP), a national must-sectoral strategic plan to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS in the country.
It will also strengthen government-private sector collaboration on HIV and AIDS services, monitor progress of the response to the situation, among others.
The council will include representatives from the DOH, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth Commission, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Budget and Management, Senate and House of Representatives, organizations of persons living with HIV and AIDS, and concerned nongovernment organizations.