With HIV infections still rising and stigma still silencing conversations on sexual health, the health office in Puerto Princesa has turned to public school teachers as key partners in interventions.
Through its Social Hygiene Clinic and in partnership with Roots of Health (RoH, Ugat ng Kalusugan), the Cith Health Office (CHO) conducted a three-day training to help teachers confidently teach students about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and AIDS.
The training brought together 30 teachers, nurses, and guidance counselors from 11 public secondary schools.
“We organized this training so teachers can become the resource and focal persons for STI and HIV education in their own classrooms,” said Regina Villapa, Medical Technologist V of the City Health Office.
“There is still a lot of stigma and discomfort around sexual health in schools, and we want to help shift teachers’ perspectives so they see why accurate information should come from them and be integrated into their lessons,” she added.
Roots of Health HIV Programs Manager RR Morales, who led most of the sessions, said education remains the strongest prevention tool.
Training teachers helps create more voices in schools that can challenge stigma and make discussions on sexual health safer for students.
Morales said when young people feel comfortable asking questions, they are more likely to take precautions and seek care without hesitation.
“Fear and misinformation keep people from getting tested or seeking care. By training teachers, we multiply voices that can reduce stigma inside classrooms. When young people feel safe to ask questions early, they are more likely to protect themselves and access services without shame,” Morales said.
Teachers were trained on empathy-based communication, cultural sensitivity, and non-judgmental teaching.
They were also oriented on the city’s health referral system to help students access confidential services.
Morales added that Roots of Health will open a Treatment Hub in Puerto Princesa early next year, expanding access to free HIV care. It will be the second facility of its kind in Palawan after the Red Top Center.
Dr. Starlet Rhonadez B. Oriel-Villan of the Department of Education said the training came as teachers asked for more guidance on handling sensitive health topics.
“Teachers have been requesting capacity-building amid the rise in HIV cases,” she said.
The CHO said strengthening teachers’ role in sexual health education is a cost-effective strategy to prevent infection, reduce stigma, and encourage early testing among young people.
Participating schools included Palawan National School, Puerto Princesa National Science High School, Marcelino Abadiano Javarez National High School, and national high schools in Santa Monica, San Jose, Babuyan, Mandaragat, Sta. Lourdes, San Miguel, Sicsican, and Macarascas.
