• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod is urging concerned agencies to implement effective measures to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS as 16 new HIV cases were recorded in the first two months of this year.
“The City of Bacolod recognizes the urgent need to address the rising cases of HIV/AIDS within its jurisdiction, and to promote health and wellbeing among its residents,” Councilor Em Ang said in her resolution approved by the SP recently.
HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health concern that requires coordinated efforts to prevent transmission, increase awareness, and improve access to testing and treatment, Ang added.
The City Health Office earlier said that 16 new HIV cases were recorded in Bacolod January to February 2025, representing 38 percent of the 42 total infections across Negros Occidental and neighboring provinces.
Executive assistant Jonathan Diaz, who spearheaded a community symposium in Barangay Handumanan recently, outlined the city’s plan of action that includes district-level education targeting all barangays, educational institutions, and community groups.
Expanded testing capabilities through an annual P500,000 prevention fund, and the development of a dedicated healthcare hub for treatment and counseling services are also part of the plan, Diaz said in a city press release as he emphasized the city’s commitment to destigmatizing HIV care while implementing data-driven interventions.
Ang, meanwhile, said that preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS requires a comprehensive approach that includes education, access to testing, treatment, and support services.
“Early detection and treatment can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce transmission rates,” she said, hence the need to promote awareness and testing among the vulnerable sectors.
Other measures pushed include the conduct of widespread information, education and awareness campaigns, thru the barangays, media, workplaces, and schools, targeting the general public, high-risk populations, and healthcare providers to reduce transmission and encourage testing.
The City should collaborate with health professionals and NGOs to promote the use of condoms, safe sex practices, and other harm reduction strategies, especially among vulnerable populations, such as youth, sex workers, and persons who use intravenous drugs, the SP said.
Access to testing, counseling, and treatment is also a must, the resolution stressed as it called for the establishment of accessible, confidential HIV testing and counseling centers at the City Health Office and in strategic locations to encourage early diagnosis and linkage to treatment.
The City should also integrate HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment services into existing health initiatives, including maternal and child health programs, to ensure comprehensive health coverage, it added. | CGC
