THERE IS one crucial line of defense often overlooked in the fight against the growing HIV epidemic in Western Visayas – the parents.
For far too long, public discourse on HIV prevention has focused solely on youth behavior, school curricula, or government health programs. But as data increasingly shows, the silence inside homes — fueled by fear, misinformation, and stigma — is contributing to the crisis.
From 1988 to March 2025, Iloilo Province has reported 2,174 HIV cases, the highest in Western Visayas, accounting for 34 percent of the region’s total. Iloilo City follows closely, with 1,694 cases. In just the first quarter of 2025, the province logged 111 new infections and 15 HIV-related deaths — proof that the virus continues to spread rapidly. Most alarming, however, is that the youth are at the heart of this surge:
* 267 cases are from those aged 15–24 years old
* 361 cases from the 25–34 age group
* 434 cases from male-to-male transmission, with 218 from bisexual activity
These numbers are a reflection, too, of what happens when parents remain ill-equipped to speak with their children about sex, protection, and health.
Many parents still view conversations around condoms or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as taboo — as if to talk about protection is to encourage early sexual activity. But as experts at the recent “HIV Town Hall” in Iloilo City have rightfully pointed out, silence is not prevention. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “Would you rather that your child go into that situation without the knowledge or tools to protect themselves?” asked Dr. Lloyd Brendan Norella of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. The answer should be obvious.
Yet many households still associate condom use with promiscuity. And so, the education stops at home, even as the risks multiply in the real world. Young people today are exposed to more information, temptation, and risk than ever before. They have smartphones, social media, and access to content that previous generations never faced. If their first and most trusted source of guidance — their parents — remain silent or misinformed, where else will they turn?
This is why parent education must be central to HIV prevention strategies. It’s not enough for schools and clinics to do the talking. Government agencies like the Department of Health and Department of Education must actively involve parents — not just in school policy, but in community-based education campaigns that demystify sexual health, explain how HIV is transmitted, and promote responsible behavior.
As Dr. Norella rightly stated, “We can’t expect parents to give sound advice on HIV prevention if they don’t know how a condom works or what PrEP is.” He’s absolutely right. If we want to empower the youth, we must first empower their parents.
The Western Visayas AIDS Council and local health units should consider rolling out parent-focused sessions in barangays. Schools can provide the bridge — but the home must become part of the conversation.
Unless we make family education a central pillar of our HIV response, the virus will continue to win. If we truly want to protect the next generation, let’s start by educating the one raising them.
