Since 1984 to this year, a total of 55 cases have been reported in the province of Ifugao, pushing for information drives in schools and encouraging testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
According to Dr. Noel II Aliguyon, MD, Public Health Officer II, HIV was traditionally seen in adults but in the past two years, there has been an alarming increase in HIV cases from ages 15 to 25 years old. Consistent with what the Department of Health (DOH) stated, there was an increase of HIV cases among the same age group, whereas in 2010, most cases were 25 to 35-year-olds.
Fourteen years later, in 2024, Ifugao recorded 11 additional cases and two cases from January to February of 2025.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) is responsible for raising preventive measures on HIV and is now focusing on educating the youth.
“We are focusing on educating the youth because as Dr. Jose Rizal said ‘Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan’,” said Siena Jobelyn Purayon, Medical Technologist II
PHO conducted lectures on HIV awareness through their “Healthy Ifugao School Caravan” which started in March 2025 at Ifugao State University (IFSU) Lamut Campus.
Topics discussed were on Adolescent Reproductive Health that covers matters on unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS).
Dr. Aliguyon added that they are expecting many will be open for HIV testing.
“Target sana natin ay walang mamamatay, like sa ibang bansa open sila for testing (kaya) maagang nadedetect. Wala siyang treatment pero may management na pwede mo siyang i-take daily na parang maintenance (Our target is that no one will die, like in other countries, they are open to testing, [that is why] it is detected early. There is no cure, but there is management that can be taken daily like maintenance),” he underscored.
Four deaths were reported last year with one death from February due to medication discontinuation. Moreover, the stigma of HIV is only associated with gay men but the statistics show that anyone can have this since it can also be transmitted through birth.
It is also expected that the cases will increase since HIV testing and screening are slowly known to people and accessible.
“Yung tinatarget namin ngayon, na lahat magpatest para if ever madetect ma-manage na agad. So ang HIV, hindi na talaga magdedecrease ang trend, mag iincrease yan at magiincrease (Our target now is that many will get tested so that if detected, it will be managed immmediately. So with HIV, it [cases] will not decrease, instead it will continually increase,” Dr. Aliguyon remarked.// Hazel L. Tugguin, BSU-DevCom Intern, Photos Courtesy of Family Planning Organization of the Philippines
