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Mayen Jaymalin - The Philippine Star
June 12, 2025 | 12:00am
In a joint statement, UNAIDS and WHO said the signing of an executive order declaring HIV an urgent public health concern will allow all sectors to work together and promote increased funding, broader public education and ensure access to essential HIV-related commodities.
AFP / File
MANILA, Philippines — The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) gave their full backing to the Department of Health’s proposal to declare HIV as a public health emergency.
In a joint statement, UNAIDS and WHO said the signing of an executive order declaring HIV an urgent public health concern will allow all sectors to work together and promote increased funding, broader public education and ensure access to essential HIV-related commodities.
“The Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), the Department of Health and community partners have demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment in developing this executive order. Their collaborative efforts reflect a deep understanding of the urgency and complexity of the HIV epidemic in the country,” WHO Philippines officer-in-charge Dr. Eunyoung Ko said.
“This executive order lays the groundwork for stronger multi-sectoral engagement, increased resource mobilization and firm political will – essential factors in helping reverse the trajectory of rising HIV cases,” Ko added.
It was reported that the Philippines has the fastest-growing number of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region, with the number of new HIV cases growing by 550 percent – from 4,400 in 2010 to 29,600 in 2024. An estimated 252,800 Filipinos are said to be living with HIV as of 2025.
The international agencies were alarmed that a third of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the first quarter of 2025 are young Filipinos aged 15 to 24 years.
