Why is HIV infection an issue now?

Just when we thought it had faded into the background of public health concerns, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is once again making headlines in the Philippines. After years of declining or manageable numbers, why is HIV now being treated as a potential public health emergency?

It wasn’t too long ago that the Department of Health (DOH) assured us that HIV cases in the country had dropped to levels they could handle. In fact, it seemed the disease had taken a back seat to more pressing issues like COVID-19 and mental health. But recent data paints a very different picture—one that is alarming enough for Health Secretary Ted Herbosa to recommend that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declare a national public health emergency.

The numbers are staggering. DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Francis E. Domingo reports that the country is now seeing an average of 57 new HIV cases every single day. The total number of HIV-positive individuals has reached nearly 100,000. And projections suggest that if nothing changes, this number could quadruple to 400,000 by the year 2030. This sudden surge demands answers. What’s fueling the rise in infections?

Experts suggest that part of the answer lies in the changing social landscape. The widespread use of social media and dating apps has made it easier for young people to meet sexual partners, sometimes without fully understanding the risks involved. Combine that with the lack of comprehensive sex education and the stigma still surrounding HIV testing and diagnosis, and we have a recipe for an epidemic quietly growing under the radar.

So, what can the Department of Health do beyond issuing alarming statistics? A good starting point would be to revive and strengthen its educational campaigns, particularly among the youth. One tool already in its arsenal is the ABCDE strategy—a proven and straightforward framework for HIV prevention: · A-Abstinence; B-Be mutually faithful; C-Consistent and correct use of condoms; D-Don’t use drugs or share needles; E-Education and early diagnosis.

This approach needs to be promoted aggressively and consistently—not just once a year during awareness campaigns, but embedded into schools, communities, and online platforms. But beyond government action, we need to talk about values and relationships. The reality is that no public health strategy can work in isolation from the social and moral environment in which people live. As a more sustainable solution, perhaps it is time for many young people to rediscover their own faith traditions and reconnect with their families and faith communities. These are the institutions that can provide the emotional grounding and moral compass often missing in an age of hyper-connectivity and casual encounters.

To anyone who feels lost or unsure of how to return to their spiritual roots—I can help. I firmly believe that faith and family remain powerful forces of guidance and protection in navigating life’s more complex challenges, including those around sexuality and health. The numbers are sobering, but not irreversible. We need a national awakening—not just in policy, but in values and awareness. HIV is back in the headlines, yes—but whether it becomes a crisis or a turning point is up to us.