More than 1,500 advocates from Central Luzon who gave tribute to victims of HIV–AIDS gathered at the Bataan People’s Center here.
The affair was attended by Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag, DOH Region 3 officials, 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman and provincial officials led by Gov. Albert Garcia.
The international theme was “Reflecting on our Past, Preparing for our Future” while the local advocacy theme was “Be Protected and Get Tested”.
There was a free AIDS screening test and Hermosa town Mayor Jopet Inton was among those who were tested.
Roman said that being a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, HIV–AIDS advocacy is closest to her heart.
“One of the pains of our LGBT community is HIV–AIDS infection. But it does not mean that it is the problem of only the LGBT but of the youth, workers, families, so it is a national problem.”
DOH Region 3 reported that the number of cases in the Philippines rose from two daily in 2008 to 31 per day in March 2018.
There are 52,280 recorded HIV–AIDS cases from January 1984 to March 2018. It was heartwarming event when Tayag, Garcia, other officials and guests embraced a victim of HIV.
