The Department of Health (DOH) is calling for a national public health emergency after reporting a 500% spike in HIV cases among young Filipinos aged 15 to 25.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa raised the alarm in a video message, emphasizing that HIV now poses a greater threat than Mpox in the Philippines. “We’ve seen a dramatic increase, with the youngest case being a 12-year-old from Palawan,” he said.
The Philippines currently records the highest number of new HIV cases in the Western Pacific Region, with many infections emerging among the youth. Without immediate action, Herbosa warned the total number of people living with HIV could soar to 400,000.
As of now, the country has reported 148,831 cases. In just the first quarter of 2025, 5,101 new cases were confirmed—an increase from 3,409 during the same period last year. This translates to 57 new infections daily.
Herbosa stressed the need for collective action, saying, “A national public health emergency would allow all sectors of society and government to unite and lower the rising cases.”
The DOH recommends the following preventive steps:
- Get tested for HIV (free and confidential)
- Use the Combination Prevention Method: condoms, lubricants, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
- For those diagnosed, maintain regular check-ups and continue antiretroviral therapy