QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Executive Director, Undersecretary Angelo Tapales on Monday said that they are boosting initiatives to reduce the rising cases of HIV among youth, after revealing that over 26,700 minors are living with HIV by the end of 2023.
“Nag-launch po kami no’ng comprehensive package of HIV services for prevention, screening, treatment care, and protection. ” Angelo Tapales said during the Impormasyon at Aksyon teleradyo program. (We launched a comprehensive package of HIV services for prevention, screening, treatment care, and protection).
“Iyan ay ipapakalat natin sa mga stakeholders [at] sa mga LGUs para alam nila na dapat magkaroon ng programa simula sa awareness, para maprotektahan ang mga bata diyan sa AIDS and HIV,” he added (We are going to roll them out with our stakeholders and LGUs, so they will have a comprehensive program that starts with awareness, in order to protect children from HIV-AIDS.)
Tapales cited Republic Act 11166 or The Philippine HIV/AIDS Policy Act that minors aged 15 to below 18 are allowed to undergo testing without parental consent to ensure their safety as open discussions about sex are not normalized in families.
Moreover, the executive director emphasized that early detection is key as prevention is the best approach.
With the treatment and therapy available in the country, HIV can be managed and prevented from worsening if addressed as soon as possible.
“Dapat matanggal iyong stigma na ‘yan, kaya siguro nahihiya din ang ating mga kabataan na magtanong, kasi nga may stigma. Kaya ‘yan ang pinu-push natin to normalize the discussion,” he added. (We need to get rid of that stigma. It’s probably why young people are too shy to seek help or treatment. That’s why we’re trying to make these discussions more relevant and appealing to them.)
Likewise, the officer stressed that information should be age-appropriate, developmentally suitable, and respectful of values and faith.
The CWC initiates, promotes and advocates adoption of policies and measures to protect child rights. For more information about HIV-AIDS, here’s the NCSC official website: https://www.ncsc.gov.ph/ (JCO/PIA-NCR)
