𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐈𝐕/𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐌𝐀
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has renewed her call to end the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, emphasizing that the Provincial Government will further strengthen its human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) programs in close coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), advocacy groups, and individuals living with the disease.
Speaking at the World AIDS Day program organized by the DOH at the Capitol Social Hall on Monday, December 1, the governor underscored the need for compassion, acceptance, and openness in addressing the disease.
“Let me say this clearly: No one should ever feel ashamed to ask for help,” Governor Baricuatro told the barangay health workers, students, Sangguniang Kabataan representatives, and other guests in attendance.
“No one should be judged for seeking information, getting tested, or receiving treatment,” she added.
Dr. Lui Miguel Balbuena, regional medical coordinator of the National HIV, AIDS and STI (sexually transmitted inspection) Prevention and Control Program, said the observance aims to combat stigma and discrimination and raise awareness that HIV is no longer a death sentence.
Dr. Balbuena highlighted that HIV testing and medication are now free and accessible in 19 DOH-certified facilities across Central Visayas — two of which are found in Bohol and 17 others in Cebu Island.
Among these are the Capitol-run hospitals: Cebu Provincial Hospital (CPH) Carcar, CPH Danao, and CPH Balamban. He also emphasized that prevention remains essential, pointing out that beyond condoms and abstinence, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is now available at no cost.
Citing epidemiologic data, Dr. Balbuena reported that as of 2024, an estimated 217,700 Filipinos were living with HIV, with 30,800 new infections and 2,300 AIDS-related deaths recorded nationwide.
He noted that 90 percent of new infections involved males having sex with males, while 47 percent came from the young key population, accounting for nearly half of all new cases.
The upward trend has continued in 2025, with 5,583 newly reported cases from January to September, including 5,299 males and 282 females, and an average of 61 new cases recorded daily. Of these, 895 Filipinos have been classified as having advanced HIV disease.
Younger age groups remain heavily affected, with 30 percent of cases involving those aged 15–24 and 42 percent among those aged 25–34.
Regionally, Central Visayas ranks fourth nationwide in estimated persons living with HIV, with 19,200 cases as of September 2025. The region is now recording an average of 104 new cases daily, with 936 new cases logged from January to September.
Cebu City continues to carry a significant share of the burden, ranking third among all LGUs with 10,300 cases as of September 2025, following Quezon City and Manila. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝒀𝑱𝑩, 𝑰𝑺𝑳
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