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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Rise in HIV cases a 'wake up call' for gov't—senators

Rise in HIV cases a 'wake up call' for gov't—senators

Published May 29, 2025 03:16 pm  |  Updated Jun 5, 2025 01:03 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said A 500 percent increase in HIV infections among young Filipinos is a public health emergency that demands immediate and decisive action.

Senators on Thursday, June 5 called on the government to intensify efforts to combat the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections now affecting majority of the country’s youth population. 

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to do its part in addressing the issue through its reproductive health programs. 

“A 500% increase in HIV infections among young Filipinos is a public health emergency that demands immediate and decisive action,” Gatchalian said.

“It is a wake-up call that our youth are in danger,” he lamented.

The senator said the DepEd should act on its commitment to address inconsistencies in Department Order (D.O.) No. 031 s. 2018 and ensure the proper rollout of age- and development-appropriate reproductive health education. 

Gatchalian also sees the necessity to engage parents through the Parent Effectiveness Service, and reinforce values through the Good Manners and Righ Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education. 

“Kailangang mailigtas natin ang kabataan sa panganib ng HIV—bago pa ito tuluyang lumala (We need to save our youth from the danger of HIV—before it gets worse),” he said.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, for his part, said he supports the Department of Health’s (DOH) appeal for the national government to declare HIV as a national public health emergency.

Ejercito also reminded health officials to utilize the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act in dealing with the hike in HIV cases. 

“We have to look into it. It needs the government’s utmost attention and how its spread can be prevented,” Ejercito said during a Kapihan sa Senado forum. 

The DOH earlier confirmed that the case of a 13-year old girl in Palawan is the youngest confirmed HIV case through sexual transmission in the region. 

According to health officials, the HIV infections recorded were among those aged between 15 to 25 years old, and attributed the increase to the youths’ exposure to social media and dating apps.

Sen. Loren Legarda also said she supports the DOH’s call to declare HIV a national public health emergency as it impacts families and communities across all sectors. 

“We must expand access to free and confidential testing, strengthen awareness and education, and build a more responsive health system that can sustain prevention, treatment, and care,” Legarda said.


“Our youth deserve every opportunity to live healthy, informed, and meaningful lives. Let us act with empathy, courage, and a strong sense of responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us,” she stressed. 

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian jv ejercito Loren Legarda HIV reproductive health
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