A Catholic pro-life organization noted an increase in the number of overseas Filipino workers in Cebu infected with the (HIV) human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
This May, the Human Life International (HLI) Pilipinas monitored at least 18 HIV cases, which were eight more than the 10 cases in the same period last year, said Dr. Rene Bullecer, HLI director.
seafarers
Most victims were male seafarers, who got the virus when they had intercourse with sex workers abroad before heading home to their families.
Many said they weren’t aware they had HIV until their next medical check-up which was required for work abroad, only to be diagnosed with the virus and not hired again.
Bullecer said government agencies can’t be blamed because offices like the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration give regular seminars and orientation sessions to overseas workers, which include how to take care of one’s health.
According to data of HLI-Cebu since 1995 until May this year, Cebu recorded 538 HIV/AIDS cases.
Of this number, 54 eventually died.
A 28-year-old man from southern Cebu who suffered from the disease for two years was the latest casualty. He died last May. Most of the patients or 488 are men. Only 38 are women. The youngest HIV case is 17 years old.
Prevention
Being faithful to one’s spouse or partner is still the best way to avoid getting HIV/AIDS said Dr. Angelita Salarda, health support division chief of the Department of Health in Central Visayas.
She encouraged persons with multiple sexual partners or unfaithful partners to undergo HIV screening especially if they’re experiencing noticeable weight loss.
Free screening and HIV treatment is offered in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
At present, 113 HIV patients are being treated in the state-run hospital, she said.
Salarda said that once infected by the virus, the respiratory system of the victim would be the first to be affected. The immune system then gets weaker and weight loss follows. –Carine M. Asutilla, Cebu Daily News
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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