BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City government has launched a digital HIV/AIDS services platform and intensified its school- and community-based awareness campaign as the city records 1,312 confirmed HIV/AIDS cases as of November 2025, ranking 22nd among more than 140 local government units nationwide.
The HIV/AIDS Online Platform Services was formally introduced on February 9 at the Bacolod City College Activity Center, with Mayor Greg Gasataya leading the launch. The mobile-first system, which will be fully operational by February 28, aims to provide residents with convenient and confidential access to HIV-related health services through their smartphones.
“Once fully operational, our online platform will provide Bacolodnons with convenient access to city health services such as free testing and counseling, with full assurance of confidentiality, all just a tap away,” Gasataya said.
The platform will allow users to book free HIV testing appointments at 12 designated city health centers, access confidential counseling through secure video or chat consultations with licensed healthcare providers, coordinate medical assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), and receive referrals for treatment and support. City officials said the system is equipped with end-to-end encryption to ensure data privacy and is expected to handle around 500 user interactions per month in its first year.
Executive Assistant Jonathan Diaz, cluster head for health, noted that while the city has seen an increase in reported cases, part of the rise is due to expanded testing coverage and improved reporting mechanisms since the start of Gasataya’s term in July 2025.
Of the total recorded cases, 62 percent involve individuals aged 20 to 39, while the remaining 38 percent fall within the 15–19 and 40–49 age groups combined. Cases have been documented across all 61 barangays, with higher concentrations in densely populated urban areas.
Despite the rising numbers, the City Health Office reported a 33 percent increase in voluntary HIV testing compared to 2024, which officials attribute to intensified education and outreach programs.
Since July 2025, the city government, in partnership with the Department of Health and the City Health Office, has expanded its HIV response through free testing, antiretroviral therapy, public education campaigns, and collaborations with non-government organizations to reach more communities.
Parallel to the digital rollout, Bacolod has strengthened its information and education campaign across 32 public high schools, 18 private schools, and 27 local enterprises, reaching more than 15,000 students and over 8,000 employees. Assessments showed a 47 percent increase in accurate knowledge about HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment. Additional workshops have engaged at least 1,200 barangay officials and community leaders.
Dr. Maria Elena Santos, head of the city’s HIV/AIDS Program Office, emphasized that the statistics represent real people in the community.
“These statistics are more than just figures on a report — they represent our neighbors, friends, and loved ones,” Santos said, stressing that the new platform seeks to remove barriers to care by making services more accessible and discreet.
Diaz acknowledged that stigma and discrimination remain major obstacles to testing and treatment. The online platform, he said, is designed to discreetly reach high-risk populations and encourage early detection and care.
Mayor Gasataya urged residents to help break the stigma surrounding HIV and support those living with the condition.
“If you are living with HIV/AIDS, know that you have an entire city that supports you,” he said. “Let us break the stigma and spread kindness and compassion.”
To sustain the city’s initiatives, the local government has earmarked an additional P2.5 million for HIV/AIDS programs in 2026. The funding will support expanded testing, improved treatment services, and continued community-based awareness campaigns.
City officials expressed hope that integrating digital tools with sustained education efforts will significantly improve early detection, expand treatment access, and reduce HIV transmission in Bacolod./PN
