By DIANN IVY CALUCIN
The local government of Quezon City formally launched a community-led monitoring (CLM) system for persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIVs) at the Quezon City Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
The city government said the “Com.musta” or Community Kumustahan is a CLM where PLHIVs can answer multiple surveys about service quality, stigma and discrimination, policy, and finance through its website https://commusta.ph/.
Through the CLM system, all necessary data from PLHIVs including complaints and recommendations will also be monitored to improve programs and ensure that policies are well implemented, the city government added.
Com.musta was developed by Achieve, The Library Foundation- Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators (TLF-Share), and HIV & acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Support House (HASH), in collaboration with the Quezon City government, Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS, United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UN Agency for International Development (USAID), and Australian Agency for International Development.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed the guests and expressed her support for the said platform.
"Let us have faith in our passion, in our commitment, and especially in science. In eight years, by 2030, we shall and we are committed to see the end of this endemic," the mayor said.
Among the guests of the ceremonial launch were the Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Francia Laxamana, USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn, Development Cooperation Australian Embassy, and UN Resident and Human Coordinators.
Other groups of key populations and advocates for human rights and access to care for PLHIVs also attended including Dangal Pilipinas, young HIV advocates, Network Plus Philippines Convener, LakanBini Advocates Pilipinas, Network to Stop AIDS Philippines (NSAP) and Youth Peer Education Network Philippines (Y-PEER).
The TLF Share and HASH are nonprofit and non-governmental organizations that seek to support PLHIVs and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.