BACOLOD City – The city government has intensified its campaign against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) after recording 1,312 cases, placing Bacolod 22nd among more than 140 local government units nationwide.
Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed alarm over the ranking during a recent League of Cities of the Philippines conference in Manila.
“It’s really alarming. Out of 140 cities, we are ranked 22nd in reported HIV cases,” the mayor stressed.
Following this, Gasataya immediately directed Executive Assistant Jonathan Diaz to launch a massive information and education campaign (IEC) to raise public awareness about HIV-AIDS.
The mayor said while government programs provide medical assistance for persons living with HIV, many still avoid testing due to stigma and fear.
“It’s not just about the ranking. What is more concerning are the unreported cases. That is why we will intensify the campaign with full support from the city,” Gasataya added.
Diaz reported that adolescent sexuality, gender and health, and HIV-AIDS awareness lectures are ongoing in various schools, particularly in barangays with recorded cases. These sessions target Grades 9 and 10, as well as senior high school students.
He noted that some students, especially from the LGBTQ community, have already undergone HIV testing — with results turning out negative.
“We are focusing on high school students and the youth because the record shows cases of infection as early as age 15,” Diaz explained.
Barangays with the most HIV cases include Handumanan, Tangub, Banago, Estefania, Villamonte, Alangilan, 1, and 2.
During lectures, facilitators stress the ABC rule — Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condom use — as preventive measures.
Most infections, according to records, involve males having sex with males. Diaz added that contact tracing is being conducted to identify partners of confirmed HIV-positive individuals for proper intervention./PN
