DOLE to beef up HIV drive in workplaces

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will intensify its campaign against HIV/AIDS in workplaces amid rising cases of the fatal disease in the past few years.

This developed as Malacañang denied yesterday that the government was behind the distribution of condoms for Valentine’s Day at the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila.

The condoms, provided by private manufacturers, were distributed for free at Dangwa yesterday by a team led by Dr. Eric Tayag, head of the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health (DOH).

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said he has directed the Occupational Safety and Health Center to strengthen its awareness program by “reaching out and informing workers of the dangers of risky behaviors in the workplace that may lead to HIV/AIDS infection.”

Roque also urged companies and establishments to set up “a strong and comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy and program that will deal with both prevention and elimination of discrimination of persons with HIV/AIDS.”

He issued the order after the DOH reported a steep rise in registered HIV/AIDS cases particularly among men having sex with men (MSM).

The DOH has blamed online social networking for the proliferation of HIV among MSM.

In the past decades, the virus was commonly found among commercial sex workers.

Among the working sectors, the DOH observed that HIV/AIDS cases were on the rise among those employed in call centers.

But Roque reminded employers that under Republic Act 8504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998, HIV testing should not be a pre-requisite for employment.

Roque warned that any form of discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS is punishable under the law.

Hands-off

Meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo, in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan, emphasized that the government has no program that involves the purchase and distribution of condoms.

Saludo was reacting to reports coming from the DOH that condoms would be offered for free to adults buying flowers at the popular Dangwa Flower Market in Manila to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

“This is the first time that I heard about this and I would like to clarify that the government has no program involving the distribution of condoms or contraceptives,” Saludo said in Filipino,” he said.

“The government has a policy against the use of contraceptives in consonance with the position of the Catholic Church on this issue.

What the government promotes is for families to adopt the natural family planning methods as espoused by the DOH,” he added.

In a text message distributed by Malacañang yesterday, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, who is in the United States, clarified that it is the retailers who were distributing the free condoms and not the DOH.

The DOH had explained the condoms were being provided for free by manufacturers DKT and Durex.

According to the DOH, the condom distribution program was not intended to promote the use of contraceptives but rather to encourage couples to engage in safe sex.

Move deplored

Several Catholic bishops yesterday condemned the distribution of free condoms to customers at the Dangwa Flower Market.

“It cheapens the significance of sex and human love,” said Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said, “Education is the solution. We should not make a shortcut to solve some problems by using immoral solutions.”

CBCP-Bioethics Commission chairman Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said, “Of course, we oppose it. I will meet with Secretary Esperanza Cabral on Tuesday. I will talk to her about this move.”

‘Gov’t is at fault’

Reproductive Health Alliance Network (RHAN) secretary-general Elizabeth Angsioco, on the other hand, blamed the anti-contraceptive policy of the Arroyo administration for the increase in HIV/AIDS cases.

Angsioco said whoever becomes the next president should revisit the government’s policy on contraceptives to effectively address the growing population and HIV/AIDS cases.

Essence lost

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, for his part, said the essence of Valentine’s Day has been lost to commercialism and that the occasion has become an opportunity for couples to engage in pre-marital sex.

“What is being practiced now is different from the time of our grandparents. I think it has some commercialism in it. The festivity was invaded by commercialism,” he said.

He added that Valentine’s Day items such as cards, flowers, teddy bears, heart-shaped pillows, and chocolates dominate the market days before Feb. 14.

Aside from the commercialism, he said he is also against the occasion being associated with “sensualism” as people engage in pre-marital sex.

“This is not the way to prepare for a lifetime partner and a family. We should return to the purity of relationships such as loyalty and trusting each other,” the prelate said.

Fund misuse

In a related development, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay sought yesterday an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the $8-million HIV/AIDS grant provided to the Philippines by the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

Binay, running mate of former President Joseph Estrada under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-United Opposition, made the call citing results of an investigation conducted by the Office of the Inspector General in the US.

In the investigation, US authorities discovered that nearly $1 million of the fund was spent for purposes other than what was allowed under the agreement.

“This is appalling, particularly since Global Fund is one of the biggest donors to the country’s health program,” Binay said.

He said the possible misuse of the Global Fund has led to the cancellation of five grants to the Philippines. – Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) with Marvin Sy, Evelyn Macairan and Jose Rodel Clapano