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.
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