DOH Advances National HIV Awareness Month Campaign
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is actively bringing its National HIV Awareness Month campaign to workplaces nationwide this August. This initiative aims to increase knowledge about HIV and AIDS, promote prevention, and reduce stigma within work environments. The DOH emphasizes the importance of workplace engagement because, according to their data, one in every two new HIV diagnoses occurs among workers aged 25 to 34.
The campaign officially began on August 3, 2025, at Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, a hub of numerous business process outsourcing (BPO) offices. Call center agents and other employees were the primary audience, receiving free onsite HIV testing and tuberculosis screening services.
Free Services and Education Offered to Workers
During the event, the DOH distributed free condoms and lubricants to promote safe sexual practices. They also provided consultations for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive medication that helps reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. Additionally, the campaign stressed the importance of consistent antiretroviral therapy for those living with HIV to improve health outcomes.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa highlighted the need to strengthen HIV-related programs in both public and private sectors, especially in workplaces. “HIV remains one of the leading public health concerns in the country. The campaign and services for HIV must be further strengthened in both the public and private sectors, including workplaces,” he stated.
HIV Care Facilities Nationwide
Across the Philippines, there are currently 305 designated HIV Care Facilities offering free prevention and treatment services for persons living with HIV (PLHIVs). These centers play a vital role in supporting those affected and curbing the spread of the virus.
Rising HIV Cases Among Working-Age Filipinos
Official reports reveal that half of all new HIV cases in the first quarter of 2025 were among Filipinos aged 25 to 34, highlighting the vulnerability of the working population. Secretary Herbosa has urged the President to declare HIV a national public health emergency due to the surge in cases, especially among young adults.
From January to March 2025 alone, 5,101 new HIV infections were recorded nationwide. Although the Philippines still has relatively low HIV rates globally, health authorities warn it has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region.
Trends and Projections
Since the first recorded case in 1984, the DOH has documented 148,831 total HIV cases up to March 2025. Sexual contact remains the primary mode of transmission, with a notable increase in cases among males who have sex with males since 2007.
Experts project that by the end of 2025, the number of PLHIV could rise by 76 percent, reaching approximately 252,800 cases. If prevention and support services do not improve significantly, this figure might surpass 400,000 by 2030.
As the DOH continues its campaign, workplace engagement remains crucial to educating the public and fighting discrimination. Through these efforts, the government aims to slow down the epidemic and provide better care for those living with HIV.
For more news and updates on National HIV Awareness Month, visit Filipinokami.com.
