BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Bolstering efforts to help end Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-related stigma and discrimination, the Department of Health- Cordillera (DOH-CAR) recently came up with its “HIV Policy in the Workplace.”
DOH-CAR Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay signed DOH-CHD-CAR Office Personnel Order No. 2023 which adopts a non-discriminatory policy on HIV and AIDS that will guarantee a workplace environment free from HIV-related stigma and discrimination during the 2023 World AIDS Day commemoration on December 01, 2023.
As a matter of policy, the following acts and practices are strictly prohibited: Rejection of job application, termination of employment, or other discriminatory policies in hiring, provision/denial of employment, and other employment related benefits, promotion, transfer of work assignments of an individual solely or partially on actual, perceived, or suspected HIV status; Compelling or requiring any personnel or job applicant to undergo compulsory HIV testing or to present HIV test results for whatever purpose; Disclosing confidential information without the written consent of the personnel subject to the confidential information, by any employee or official of the organization in possession thereof, and/or whose work or function involves HIV-related services and activities; Bullying in all forms; and Disclosure of confidential information that the personnel has undergone an HIV-related test, has HIV infection or HIV-related infection, or has been exposed to HIV, without written consent of the said personnel. It also abhors practices that discriminate based on the perceived or actual HIVF status of its personnel.
This first workplace policy against HIV-related stigma in the region institutionalized at DOH CAR the integration of HIV and AIDS in its onboarding and orientation activities to educate its employees about this infectious disease.
The promotion of a workplace environment that is free from HIV-related stigma and discrimination is mandated under Republic Act 11166, or the “Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act” signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on December 20, 2018. (JDP/MAWC-PIA CAR)
Regional Director Dr. Rio L. Magpantay signs the DOH-CHD-CAR HIV and AIDS workplace policy (Photo by DOH-CHD-CAR)
