The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has moved, through a proposed resolution, to intensify awareness and advocacy efforts on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Palawan due to a rising trend, particularly among young men.
The measure urges barangay and municipal government officials, civil society organizations, the academe, religious and interfaith groups, line government agencies, and the media, to work collectively in raising public awareness about the spike.
Board Member Maria Angela Sabando, who authored the measure, said on Tuesday that the overarching goal is to mobilize a multi-sectoral response to address what her resolution refers to as the “plague” of HIV, through prevention campaigns and possible support services.
To support the urgency behind her proposed measure, Sabando said that based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), Palawan has recorded a total of 1,268 confirmed cases of HIV from 2015 to 2025. Puerto Princesa City accounted for more than half of the infections at approximately 656 cases.
A closer look at the data shows that several municipalities are affected, with varying case numbers. Among the province’s 23 towns, Narra logged the highest number of HIV cases at 73, followed by Taytay at 67, Brooke’s Point at 65, Roxas at 62, Aborlan at 55, and El Nido at 44.
Other towns with reported cases include Bataraza (29), Quezon (26), San Vicente (26), Dumaran (20), Coron (18), Sofronio Española (16), Rizal (15), Cuyo (14), and Araceli (11).
Further cases were documented in Busuanga and Balabac (6 each), Culion (5), Cagayancillo (4), Agutaya (3), and Magsaysay and Linapacan (1 each). An additional 46 confirmed HIV cases were recorded from Palawan residents but diagnosed outside the province.
The board member pointed out that the primary mode of transmission was male-to-male sexual contact, accounting for 1,003 of the total cases.
Highlighting the threat to younger populations, she added that 66 of those infected were individuals aged 24 years and below, underscoring the urgent need to focus awareness efforts on the youth sector.
The youngest person afflicted with the disease is 12 years old from Palawan.
“Ito ay isang seryosong banta sa kalusugan ng publiko na nangangailangan ng mas malawak at masinsinang edukasyon, impormasyon, at pagkilos mula sa ating buong komunidad upang maprotektahan ang bawat mamamayan,” she said.
Sabando further disclosed that out of the total number of people living with HIV (PLHIV), only 974 are currently undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART), raising concerns about access to life-saving treatment and sustained medical care.
Convening HIV/AIDS Council
Echoing her concerns, Board Member Ryan Maminta expressed support for the resolution, saying he understands the sentiments embodied in Sabando’s proposal.
To operationalize the resolution, Maminta proposed reconvening the local HIV/AIDS Council under the provincial government, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO), to focus on the growing health challenge.
He also emphasized that municipal authorities must ensure they have an accurate understanding of HIV to effectively tackle the issue.
“Sinusuportahan natin ito, yong ganitong resolution, at yong pagpapalawig ng pagkilos para sa awareness that will… in effect… promote awareness and prevent the spread of HIV in the province of Palawan,” Maminta said.
“Ang isang nakakalungkot na sitwasyon ay yong example ng DOH ay nanggaling sa dito sa ating lalawigan, which is now in a viral manner kasi 12 years old, kasi nahawa through sexual [contact,]” he lamented.
Maminta suggested that the resolution be referred to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s health committee for further deliberation, so members could determine what additional steps are required.
He also noted that Sabando’s resolution did not cite two existing national laws on HIV, which are essential for providing a comprehensive policy framework in addressing the epidemic.
On a national level, health officials had already raised concern over the accelerating rate of infections.
DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa recently sounded the alarm on HIV, warning that the public should be even more concerned about its spread than about Mpox, given the over 500 percent surge in cases.
Citing the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report for the first quarter of 2025, Herbosa said the country has logged a total of 148,831 HIV cases, with 5,101 new infections reported from January to March alone.
He stressed that this reflects a nearly 50 percent increase compared to the 3,409 new cases logged during the same period in 2024.
“Ang nakakatakot lang ay napakaraming new cases sa ating mga kabataan,” Herbosa said.
On average, he noted, 57 new HIV cases were recorded daily in the first quarter of 2025.
*** This article was produced with support from CFI Médias as part of its initiative to strengthen One Health reporting in the Philippines. The content is independent and solely the responsibility of the author.
