Duterte signs law targeting spread of HIV/AIDS

by Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star, Jan 10, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed into law a measure that aims to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS and provide more services to people living with the health condition.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte signed the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 last Dec. 20.

“We consider its enactment and signing timely and relevant on account of the report of the Department of Health disclosing that our country has the highest percentage relative to the increase of new HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region from 2010 to 2016,” Panelo said in a statement yesterday.

“This piece of landmark legislation will significantly reduce the stigma of people living with HIV or AIDS,” he added.

Panelo praised lawmakers and groups which pushed for the passage of the law. The new law updated the legal framework for addressing HIV and AIDS.

It will also facilitate the crafting of policies and programs aimed at preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS and delivering proper treatment, care and support services to afflicted Filipinos.

It also aims to allot more funds to HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment and calls for up-to-date education about HIV and AIDS in schools, communities, workplaces and vulnerable areas.

Supporters of the measure have said the new law would help put an end to the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS.

HIV is a viral infection that attacks and slowly destroys the immune system, according to the health department’s website. It can lead to lack of body defense to all kinds of infection, including those that don’t normally infect humans, the website added.

AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was described by the health department as the appearance of clinical manifestation of HIV infection.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, one of the principal authors of the measure in the Senate, welcomed President Duterte’s signing of the law.

“I join the thousands of advocates who worked day and night for many years to ensure this important milestone in our healthcare system,” she said.

“It is an institutional victory that will certainly make our healthcare services more responsive to the needs of the people. Many lives have been unnecessarily lost due to AIDS, including the lives of many young people. Today, we change the course of this rising epidemic and hopefully, help usher in an AIDS-free generation,” she added. – With Edith Regalado, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Robertzon Ramirez, Sheila Crisostomo