HIV cases among PH youth up 500% —DOH

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The number of young Filipinos infected with human immunodeficiency virus has increased by 500% prompting the Department of Health to request for the declaration of a national public health emergency for HIV.

In a video message posted on Facebook, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the bigger health problem in the Philippines now is not Mpox but HIV.

“Five hundred percent increase po tayo ng HIV cases sa mga edad 15 hanggang 25. In fact, ang pinakabatang na-diagnose natin ay batang 12-anyos sa probinsiya ng Palawan,” he said.

(There was a 500% increase in HIV cases among Filipinos aged 15 to 25. In fact, the youngest we diagnosed was a 12-year old child from Palawan.)

“Sa datos natin tayo na ang pinakamataas na new cases sa Western Pacific Region. Ang nakakatakot lang maraming new cases sa ating kabataan,” he added.

(Based on our data, the Philippines has the highest number of new cases in the Western Pacific Region. What is disturbing is many of the new cases are young people.)

He expressed concern that if the trend will not be stopped the number of people in the Philippines living with HIV could reach 400,000.

At present, there are 148,831 cases of HIV in the Philippines.

The DOH said in the first three months of the 2025, a total of 5,101 HIV cases were confirmed. This was higher than the 3,409 confirmed cases the same period in 2024.

The Health Department said this means 57 new cases were recorded everyday from January to March 2025.

“Kaya maganda na magkaroon tayo ng national public health emergency for HIV dahil magtutulong-tulong ang buong lipunan, whole of society and whole of government can help us in this campaign na mapababa ang new cases of HIV,” Herbosa said.

(It is better if we would have a declaration of national public health emergency for HIV because the whole of society and the whole of government can help us in this campaign to lower the number of new cases of HIV.)

According to a 24 Oras report by Maki Pulido on Tuesday, HIV Positive and Community Organizer Kael Mata noted that there is a lack of support from local government units.

“Kung ito ay ma-declare as national emergency, mao-obliga ang mga LGU na gumawa ng mas komprehensibong programa,” he said.

(If this will be declared as a national emergency, LGUs will be obligated to make comprehensive programs.)

While Domingo claimed the rise of HIV cases could have been caused by easier access to sex via social media and dating apps, Mata said the true cause was the youth’s lack of HIV protection.

“Sa buong Pilipinas, total number of HIV cases among youth ay 33%, mga kabataan. If they go to health center [and] they ask pwede makahingi ng condom, ang sagot sa kanila saan mo gagamitin? Bakit mo kailangan?” he shared.

(Throughout the Philippines, the total number of HIV cases among the youth are 33%. If they go to a health center [and] they ask if they can ask for condoms, the response would be questions: where will you use them? Why do you need them?)

Mata urged the government to provide easier access to HIV treatment hubs and testing facilities.

According to Domingo, HIV testing centers are open to offer services and anti-viral medication for free, even for minors without parental consent.

“HIV is not a death sentence. Hinahawig nga namin yan parang highblood… Is it the end of your life? Hindi. You [just] have to take maintenance. PhilHealth even has an HIV package,” he said.

(HIV is not a death sentence. We compare it to high blood… Is it the end of your life? No. You [just] have to take maintenance. PhilHealth even has an HIV package.)

The DOH urged the public to avail of the following preventive measures:

take the HIV test which is free and confidential
practice the Combination Prevention Method including using condom, lubricant and pre-exposure prophylaxis medicine which reduces risk of HIV infection
have regular consultation and take antiretroviral therapy for those who need it.