The group Bahaghari expressed concern over recent reports of increase in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the Philippines by 500%, the highest in the Western Pacific Region.

“The rise in HIV cases and the growing number of young people contracting this disease is a strong reminder to strengthen, instead of cut, funding and programs for health,” Bahaghari chairperson Reyna Valmores Salinas said.

She said, while it is true that stronger efforts towards HIV testing would lead to a greater positivity rate, it would be irresponsible to dismiss the sizeable HIV transmission among minors.

On June 3, the Department of Health (DoH) reported that the number of patients with HIV reached 150,433 for the month of April this year. An estimated 57 patients are found to be HIV-positive each day. Thirty-three percent of new cases are from ages 15 to 25. The youngest patient with HIV is a 12-year-old child.

According to Bahaghari, the Marcos regime and the DoH must allocate more funds for HIV programs and provide age-appropriate sexuality education.

“Now more than ever, strengthening discussions on Comprehensive Sexuality Education is needed. A major part of preventing HIV transmission among children is providing proper knowledge about HIV, instead of viewing it as a ‘taboo’ or a frightening topic,” Valmores-Salinas added.

The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Philippines also called for immediate and strengthened action to address the rapid spread of HIV. They also support the call to declare HIV as an urgent public health issue that requires a national response.

According to Bahaghari, we must strengthen funding for HIV programs in the Philippines and expand education among the youth on their rights and health to prevent the rise in HIV cases while supporting People Living with HIV to lead meaningful lives.