AMID reports of an extremely alarming spike in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the Philippines, the government has found an excuse for its failure to come up with measures that could have prevented what has become a “new normal” among Filipinos.
Citing its own data, the Department of Health (DOH) blamed the proliferation of online pornography for the “high-risk sexual behavior” among the Filipino youth.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa also blamed dating apps on the internet for the prevalence of the sexually-transmitted disease.
As of the first quarter of 2025, the health department has recorded an average of 57 new HIV cases per day, which represents a whopping 500 percent increase as compared to the same period of the previous year.
“Tumaas ang risky behavior. So, number one, easy access to pornography online; number two, mga dating apps; number three, hindi gumagamit ng protection, unprotected sex” Herbosa said during a media briefing.
SEXUALLY ACTIVE KIDS
The DOH chief noted that from January to April this year, 6,703 HIV cases were recorded from January to April 2025.
Of this figure, people within the age bracket of 15 to 25 years old formed the bulk of new HIV cases. Interestingly, the health chief took note of a 12-year old child whose sexually-active life at a tender age made her the youngest HIV-positive.
By his own admission, Sec. Herbosa said that the fact that the youth which accounts for a huge chunk of the recorded HIV-infections makes testing and prevention a challenge for the government.
He particularly expressed apprehension on the impact of social stigma on testing uptake — “Napansin ko, tumataas iyong HIV kasi mataas pa rin ang stigma sa atin.”
NEED FOR LEGISLATION
In an apparent effort to contain the surge, Herbosa cited the urgent need for legislative measures for mandatory parental consent for the government to admit and treat HIV-positive kids.
“Ang problema, kailangan din namin ng parental consent ng start of treatment, so, that’s another legislation na kailangan namin,” he admitted.
More than parental consents, the DOH chief also finds it imperative for Congress to allocate sufficient funds — for testing and treatment.
“Kita ninyo na to battle HIV ay kailangan ko ang legislation, kailangan ko ang funding, kailangan ko ng information campaign,” Herbosa added.
He cited the need for massive information campaigns if only to make the people realize that HIV is curable and that the government has the capability to manage such just like any chronic condition — but only if detected early and treated consistently.
HEALTH EMERGENCY
In view of the alarming figures, the DOH finds it rather imperative for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare the proliferation of HIV as a national public health emergency.
“Sa datos natin, tayo na ang pinakamataas na new cases dito sa Western Pacific Region. Ang nakakatakot lang napakarami po ang ating new cases sa ating mga kabataan,” he said.
He warned that without urgent intervention, the number of people living with HIV in the country could exceed 400,000.
Data from the Philippine National Aids Council show that the country has almost 149,000 confirmed HIV cases nationwide.