Many Filipinos lack adequate knowledge about the transmission and acquisition of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, Ferchito Avelino, the executive director of the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), said on Sunday. “Filipinos have many misconceptions about the disease [AIDS], some even think that it can be acquired through mosquito bites, which is completely untrue,” according to Avelino.
He said that in view of the widespread misinformation about the disease, the Department of Health and PNAC are working together to educate the public about the disease and how it can be acquired.
Avelino named three modes of transmitting the disease — through unprotected penetrative sex (oral, anal and vaginal sex), through blood transfusion and blood products and through contraction of the virus by a mother, passing it on to her unborn child.
As part of their campaign to spread awareness about AIDS and protection against the virus, the DOH launched an AIDS awareness drive dubbed “Flowers and Condoms for Valentine’s.”
Under the campaign, the Health department will give away free condoms to individuals who are 18 years old and above.
The free condom drive has received heavy criticisms from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
According to the CBCP, the campaign seems to promote promiscuity in young couples.
“The project’s priority is to educate the youth, who are, undeniably, engaging in unprotected sex at a
younger age to protect themselves from serious sexual diseases like AIDS. We are promoting condoms as protection, not as a contraceptive,” Avelino said.
Despite the criticisms from the CBCP, he added that they are glad that the Catholic Church is finally opening up to the prospect of educating its parishioners about the dangers of unprotected sex.
“The Roman Catholic Church and the DOH are now working hand in hand to promote responsible sexual practices such as monogamy and abstinence,” Avelino said.
He added that they are working with the church on giving support to those who are already infected with AIDS. –JAN ERICK TUTAAN SPECIAL TO THE MANILA TIMES
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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