The City Health Office, in collaboration with the Local AIDS Council of Puerto Princesa City, commemorated World AIDS Day 2024 at the San Jose National High School. With the theme “Take the RIGHTS Path,” the event emphasized the need to address inequalities and uphold human rights in the fight against HIV.

Around 500 students from Grades 7 to 12 participated in activities designed to educate and empower young people. “This year’s event is a reminder that everyone has the right to access healthcare, education, and support without fear of stigma or discrimination,” shares STI, HIV, and AIDS coordinator Regina R. Villapa. “By empowering the youth and fostering conversations about their human rights, we are taking crucial steps toward a healthier, stigma-free society.” 

A silent epidemic 

The Philippines faces an HIV crisis, with 58 Filipinos diagnosed daily and one-third of them being under 24. In Puerto Princesa City, 97 cases were recorded this year, more than double the 44 cases in 2017. 

“Stigma, misinformation, and the lack of fully implemented Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) contribute to rising infections,” says RR Morales, HIV program manager of Roots of Health, a non-government organization that has long been at the forefront of addressing sexual and reproductive health challenges in Palawan. “The Department of Health, in collaboration with community organizations and NGOs such as ours, has ramped up testing through community-based HIV screenings. We also link people living with HIV to life-saving antiretroviral therapy treatment. But much needs to be done on the prevention side,” explains Morales. 

Roots of Health has taught CSE to 100,000 high school students and out-of-school youth in Palawan over 15 years, but Morales emphasized the need for the Department of Education to fully integrate CSE into the curriculum. 

“Teachers need training and support to set their discomfort aside and confidently talk to young people about safer sex in regular classes,” adds Morales.   

Engaging and educating the youth 

The World AIDS Day program featured messages from local leaders, including Dr. Ardie Rama from the City Health Office and Dr. Christy Andaya from the Center of Health and Development-MIMAROPA. Both highlighted the critical role of youth in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Interactive discussions on the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act (RA 11166) followed by real-life stories helped contextualize the impact of the epidemic.

Students learned more about free services offered by the city’s Integrated Service Delivery Network in an open forum where they engaged with experts from the City Health Office, Philippine National Police Violence Against Women and Children Desk, Commission on Human Rights, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the Sangguniang Kabataan, the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS), and the Mariposa LGBTQIA+ organization.

Booths set up by Roots of Health, Amos Tara Community Center, IDEALS, and other groups provided additional resources on adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

 “This celebration brought together different sectors to inspire the youth and equip them with the knowledge to advocate for inclusivity and equality. It’s a step toward a brighter, stigma-free future,” mentions Villapa.