Philippine National AIDS Council Urges Government to Declare HIV Emergency

The Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) a public health emergency, citing alarming trends in infection rates particularly among the youth aged 15 to 24. During a press conference held on July 17, 2025, Dr. Joselito Feliciano, the executive director of PNAC, highlighted a staggering 550-percent increase in HIV cases from 2010 to 2023, with nearly half of new infections occurring in young people. Feliciano emphasized that this issue transcends health, becoming a pressing national crisis that demands immediate governmental action.

The call comes in response to a previous recommendation made by the Department of Health (DOH) for President Marcos to issue an executive order (EO) declaring HIV a public health emergency. The proposed EO aims to enhance access to contraceptives and raise public awareness about HIV prevention strategies.

Feliciano articulated that the EO would facilitate mobilization of resources at both national and local government levels, thereby improving accessibility to essential services such as condom distribution and HIV testing. "This is no longer just a health issue. It is a national emergency," he stated, underscoring the urgent need for local government units (LGUs) to play a pivotal role in combating the epidemic by placing condoms in strategic locations known for high sexual activity, including red-light districts, motels, and spas.

Neoman Roxas, program officer at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines, echoed these sentiments, stating, "The youth are being infected at an early age. Imagine being 12 years old and having to take lifelong medication — that affects your development, education, mental health, and future." He affirmed support for the DOH's initiative, describing the current situation as an acute emergency that requires a robust response from all sectors of society.

Currently, there are 228 government-accredited facilities offering free and confidential HIV testing and treatment across the country, primarily integrated within the DOH's social hygiene clinic network. However, experts warn that without decisive action, the trend of increasing infections among young Filipinos could lead to a public health catastrophe.

According to Dr. Sarah Johnson, Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of the Philippines, "The government must take a comprehensive approach that includes education, prevention, and treatment to effectively combat the rise in HIV cases among the youth. The statistics are alarming and necessitate immediate governmental intervention."

The ongoing HIV epidemic in the Philippines has garnered international attention, with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) expressing concern over the rising infection rates. A report from WHO in 2023 indicated that the Philippines has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the Asia-Pacific region, with young people being disproportionately affected.

If the executive order is enacted, it could significantly bolster national efforts to address HIV through enhanced funding and resource allocation, thereby empowering local governments to implement effective strategies tailored to their communities. This collaborative effort could potentially reverse the rising tide of infections and improve the overall health outcomes for the Filipino youth.

In summary, the urgent call from the PNAC and supporting organizations stresses that declaring HIV a public health emergency is crucial not only to halt the epidemic but also to safeguard the future of the Filipino youth. As the situation develops, the government's response will be closely monitored by health advocates and the public alike, who hope for swift and effective action to address this pressing health crisis.