A health worker takes blood samples of people who want to undertake voluntary  HIV testing at the University of the Philippines Manila. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — From an average of 50 new HIV cases daily between July and September 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) observed a slight decline in new infections in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Philippines recording 55 new HIV cases per day: DOH chief

Speaking to health reporters on Thursday, Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that from October to December 2024, the figure has gone down by three cases, with those aged 25 to 34 years being the most affected age group.

Historical data reveal that while heterosexual intercourse was the most common mode of transmission from 1984 to 2006.

A shift occurred in 2008, with most cases transmitted among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Over the past four decades, the country has recorded an estimated 215,000 individuals living with HIV. 

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Despite the Philippines' commitment to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets—95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) knowing their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART achieving viral suppression—current figures remain below target.

Of the estimated 215,000 PLHIV, only 135,036 (63%) have been diagnosed. Among those diagnosed, 90,854 (67%) are receiving ART.

Of this group, 46% (over 41,000 individuals) were tested for viral load, with 88% (more than 36,000 individuals) achieving viral suppression.

However, these figures still fall short of the targets.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Dr. Jojo Feliciano, Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC) executive director, said while different factors have contributed to the rise in risky behavior, widespread use of social media has significantly influenced such actions.

Philippines faces alarming rise in HIV infections

“Dahil sa social media, mas madali nang makakuha sila ang mga sexual partners. Isang pindot mo lang, pwede kang makakuha ng mga partner mo lalo’t merong mga application pa na tinatawag for specific groups like MSM,” he said. 

(Because of social media, it is much easier to find sexual partners. With just one click, you can already find one especially now there are applications for specific groups like MSMs.)

While HIV awareness campaigns are also available on cyberspace, Feliciano admits it is much easier to access pages or applications that encourage risky behavior.

AVAILABILITY OF INTERVENTION 

PNAC said there is a wide array of easily accessible ways of intervention that individuals can maximize to prevent the risk of infection. As a matter of fact, a whole of government approach was in place through Republic Act 11166.

“Sa mga studyante na nasa college o university, yan ay mandato ni CHED. Meron niyang pulisiya si CHED na sinasamang HIV and AIDS sa mga NSTP. Ganon din sa mga bata. Andun si DepEd. Pagkatapos pagdating naman sa mga workplace, para sa mga private, nandyan si DOLE na ini-incorporate niya ang HIV and AIDS in the workplace program. Para sa mga government offices naman, nandyan ang Civil Service.”

(For students in colleges or universities it is the mandate of CHED to include HIV and AIDS in the National Service Training Program (NSTP). The same for children, it’s the DepEd mandate. For those in private workplaces, the Department of Labor is in charge implementing a HIV and AIDs in the workplace program. For government offices, it’s the civil service.)

Access to condoms, according to Feliciano, have also been made easier along with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). 

But the public must also understand that to ensure the highest aversion to infection not only from HIV but also of other sexually transmitted infections, an individual must use both.

PNAC explained that while it is important to have readily available means to protect a sexually active individual from HIV infection, it is even more important to guide those who may not even be ready for such activity but are getting exposed to it. 

“Kaya napaka-critical ng role ng mga magulang, ng pamilya, para sa paghubog ng mga values ng mga bata. Kasi the more na stable ang values ng mga bata, malaki ang chances na hindi sila magpractice ng mga risky behavior,” said Feliciano.

(The role of parents are critical in shaping the values of their children. If a child’s values are intact there will be higher chances for that child not to engage in risky behavior.)

However, as the country works hard towards the ambitious 95-95-95 goal, challenges persist, particularly with the withdrawal of foreign funding support.

Nonetheless, the DOH said it is not something they don’t have solutions for.

THERE ARE ‘OTHER SOURCES’ 

Feliciano admitted that decisions by foreign political leaders have impacted funding for HIV programs in the Philippines with organizations like USAID freezing financial support. However , he said Health Secretary Ted Herbosa assured steps are being taken to bridge funding gaps.

DOH identifying fund sources for HIV and AIDS programs after US aid freeze

Domingo explained that for 2025, the amount needed to fund the government’s HIV program is P7.74 billion. Only less than a billion come from foreign aid.

“Mas malaki yung pinopondohan na ng Department of Health mula sa ating sariling budget. P6.2 billion compared sa P830 million. Kaya natin. Iba na ang sitwasyon ngayon,” Domingo said. 

(The DOH and government still funds the bigger chunk, P6.2 billion. Compare that to P830 million, we can still do this. The times have changed.)

The health official added that the P830 million is used not only for commodities like medicines, condoms, PrEP but even for technical assistance and trainings to improve advocacy and mitigation.

Among the sources eyed by the DOH to fill the gap is PhilHealth. While nothing is confirmed as of writing, officials are open to the possibility of including some HIV-related services in primary care.

“Pre-exposure prophylaxis, malay natin inaaral na baka pwedeng isama yun dun sa Konsulta package. Also yung ating screening and testing. Isa rin yung strategic shift. Kasi kung dati ay mga specialized testing centers or treatment centers yung pinupuntahan para sa HIV. Ang general strategy ngayon ng ating Secretary of Health is to mainstream into primary care, general primary care, ang ating HIV services. Of course, following the law, no stigma and fully confidential,” Domingo said.

(Who knows, the possiblity of including PrEP in the Konsulta package may be studied including screening and testing. It’s a strategic shift. If in the past there are specialized screening, testing and treatment centers for HIV, the general strategy of the Secretary of Health is to mainstream into primary care as long as we still follow the law.)

If there’s anything the figures presented by the DOH makes clear, it is that the fight against HIV is far from over. 

Nevertheless, it remains confident that through the continued cooperation of civil society organization, the government and the communities curbing the trend and safeguarding future generations from the virus remains possible.

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