Rizal Aids Society of the Philippines

11/01/2026

29/11/2025

Alarming

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 5,000 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the country from July to September, Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Saturday.

“Thirty percent of the new cases are below the age of 18. They are young. So ’yan, diyan ako naaalarma kasi for life na ’yung treatment (That is why I am alarmed, because the treatment is for life)," he said.

Earlier, the DOH called for the declaration of a national public health emergency after noting a 500% increase in HIV cases among young Filipinos.

Read more:
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/967925/doh-5-000-new-hiv-cases-in-ph-from-july-to-september/story/

20/03/2025

DOH Alert

LOOK || 13-year-old becomes youngest HIV case in Palawan through unprotected contact

Health authorities in Palawan are raising concerns over the increasing number of HIV cases among minors, with a 13-year-old now identified as the youngest patient to contract the virus through unprotected contact.

In a press briefing, City Health Office (CHO) STI, HIV, and AIDS Program Coordinator Regina R. Villapa reported that 17 individuals aged 0-14 in the province have tested positive for HIV.

The youngest case is a newborn infected through mother-to-child transmission, while the 13-year-old acquired the virus through unprotected s*x.

CHO data shows that the highest number of cases is among those aged 15-24, with 391 infections.

Meanwhile, 593 cases have been recorded in the 25-34 age group, 187 in the 35-49 bracket, and 22 among individuals aged 50 and above.

In response, CHO and the Amos Tara Community Center are urging the public to undergo HIV testing, assuring that all results are kept strictly confidential.

They emphasized that early detection is crucial and that getting tested should not be a source of fear or stigma.