Output in Political Science

( Emerging Social Problems in the

Philippines and how the government
address this )

Submitted by:

Ronaliza D. Gayatin

Allen A. Pacudan

Jonnalyn A. Padoña

Mia B. Sucayre

Lea C. Panagsagan

Submitted to :

Roger Magno
 INCREASING NUMBER OF HIV/AIDS IN THE COUNTRY
More young Filipino men are now being infected with the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), the Department of Health (DOH) said.

New HIV cases continued to increase in the Philippines in 2017, with a 3,147 percent surge
since 2007, according to an Al Jazeera analysis of the latest data published by the country's
health agency, bucking a downward trend worldwide. In a February 2018 report, the Philippine
Department of Health said 11,103 new cases were reported in 2017, up 19.85 percent from the
9,264 cases in 2016. Compared with the 342 HIV infections reported in 2007, the 2017 figure is
3,147 percent higher.

The Philippines has retooled its program to expand HIV services for males who have sex
with males and transgender women and has opened clinics that cater specifically to their needs in
urban areas, where the risk of HIV is higher. The strategy is to focus on 117 cities where 80% of
the new infections have been reported and to open in each such city at least one HIV clinic which
has convenient evening hours for working people, and is a one-stop shop that provides
prevention, counseling, laboratory work-up, and treatment services. The Department of Health is
providing antiretroviral (ARV) medicine for free to anyone who tests positive for HIV, as well as
other out-patient services to a maximum of PHP 30,000 ($US 600) a year per person. Between
2013 and 2015, the government increased funding for the HIV program, and now shoulders 70%
of all financing for its response.

In a solidarity conference in Quezon City, Mary Joy Morin, DOH Central Office National
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and STI (sexually transmitted infection)
Prevention and Control Program Officer, said around 65,463 cumulative cases have been
recorded from 1984 to March 2019 and the predominant mode of transmission is sexual
contact.

This figure represents Filipinos who were tested and known to be HIV positive and 94
percent of them are males who have sex with other males."About 50 percent of these males
are aged 25 to 34 years old, meaning they are part of the productive age or workforce group
while 31 percent are males aged 15 to 24 years old who are part of the younger population and
still in learning institutions," she said.

She attributed the increase in the number of HIV cases among young Filipinos "to lack of
education about safe sex, as many engage in condom-less sexual contact among males"."We
are in fact the highest in HIV increase rate in the Asia Pacific region so the global community is
keeping an eye on us but we're still able to maintain the prevalence at one percent of the
general population. Our country's goal is to maintain it at less than one percent prevalence,"
she said, adding that 140 percent increase of HIV cases has been recorded by the DOH over the
past 10 years.

Morin explained the Philippines is one of the few countries in the world with a growing
HIV prevalence "compared to other countries with rates already decreasing or stagnating".

How the government address this Increasing number of HIV/AIDS

The Philippines has retooled its program to expand HIV services for males who have sex
with males and transgender women and has opened clinics that cater specifically to their needs
in urban areas, where the risk of HIV is higher. The strategy is to focus on 117 cities where 80%
of the new infections have been reported and to open in each such city at least one HIV clinic
which has convenient evening hours for working people, and is a one-stop shop that provides
prevention, counseling, laboratory work-up, and treatment services. These are the Sundown
clinics. The government has also taken measures towards enabling rapid HIV screening and
delivery of test results.

The government through Republic Act 11166 or the AIDS Policy Act of 2018 is
conducting various HIV prevention campaigns which include proper education, testing
and treatment.

The senate approved the bill Republic Act 8504, or the “Philippine AIDS Prevention and
Control Act of 1998," to incorporate lessons from the current HIV response. The proposed
measure also seeks “to introduce newer evidence-based, human rights-informed, and gender
transformative strategies to prevent and treat the epidemic.” Under the bill, the government is
mandated “to improve access to HIV services, especially for key populations and vulnerable
communities, and ensure social and financial risk protection for those who need to access these
services.” It also provides for the allocation of more funds on HIV prevention, diagnosis and
treatment, and require “up-to-date education about HIV and AIDS in schools, communities,
workplaces and vulnerable areas.”

REPUBLIC ACT No. 11166

An Act Strengthening the Philippine Comprehensive Policy on Human Immunodeficiency

Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention, Treatment, Care, and
Support, and, Reconstituting the Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC), Repealing for the
Purpose Republic Act No. 8504, Otherwise Known as The "Philippine Aids Prevention and
Control Act of 1998".
 President has signed Republic Act 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of
2018, which shall update and repeal the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.
Under the law, the government is mandated to establish programs and policies and adopt a multi-
sectoral approach to prevent the spread of HIV, and ensure access to HIV and AIDS-related
services “by eliminating the climate of stigma and discrimination” on patients.

The Department of Health is providing antiretroviral (ARV) medicine for free to anyone
who tests positive for HIV, as well as other out-patient services to a maximum of PHP 30,000
($US 600) a year per person. Between 2013 and 2015, the government increased funding for
the HIV program, and now shoulders 70% of all financing for its response.

Local governments have also stepped-up their efforts by providing resources and
implementing innovative HIV prevention services appropriate for their locales. For example,
Quezon City has opened three Sundown clinics which provide rapid HIV testing and counseling
for MSM and TGW, as well as HIV treatment in a non-stigmatizing environment. The city has
increased its funding for such initiatives since 2012, and is leading a push to encourage other
local government units to invest more.They implemented the Republic Act 11166 to protect
and take care for those person who has HIV/AIDS

Policies and practices that discriminate on the basis of perceived or actual HIV status,
sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, economic status, disability,
and ethnicity hamper the enjoyment of basic human rights and freedoms guaranteed in the
Constitution and are deemed inimical to national interest.lThe State shall respect, protect, and
promote human rights as the cornerstones of an effective response to the country's HIV and
AIDS situation. Hence, HIV and AIDS education and information dissemination should form part
the right to health.