CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CLCHD) is ramping up its call for awareness, early testing, and prevention as the number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases continue to rise in the region and nationwide.
DOH CLCHD Infectious Diseases Cluster OIC Head Angelica Joy Diaz reported that the number of new HIV diagnoses in the Philippines has significantly increased from just one case per day in 2008 to 57 new cases per day in 2025.
“Region 3 ranks third in the country with the highest number of HIV cases from January to March 2025,” Diaz said, emphasizing that HIV remains a growing public health concern affecting many communities.
Nationwide, the total number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is projected to reach 252,800 by the end of 2025.
Despite ongoing public health interventions, Diaz said significant gaps remain in achieving the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 95-95-95 goals.
Only 55 percent of PLHIVs are aware of their status. Among them, 66 percent are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and only 40 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
“These numbers highlight the urgent need for early diagnosis, continuous treatment, and public education to stop the spread of HIV and improve the lives of those affected,” she said.
The data also reveals that nearly half or 47 percent of new HIV cases come from individuals aged 25 to 34, while 33 percent are between 15 to 24 years old.
Alarmingly, there is a two to four year gap between the onset of sexual activity and protective measures such as condom use and HIV testing among men who have sex with men and transgender women.
With this, the DOH CLCHD continues to call on communities to remember those lost due to AIDS, support PLHIVs, and take the lead in fighting stigma, discrimination, and misinformation.
As part of ongoing efforts, the health department is also reinforcing its prevention messaging which include abstinence, being mutually faithful with an uninfected partner, using condoms consistently and correctly, avoiding sharing needles or syringes, and getting tested early and regularly.
“Knowledge is the first step against HIV. By knowing your status and accessing treatment, people living with HIV can stay healthy and prevent transmission because ‘U equals U’ or undetectable means untransmittable,” Diaz stressed.
For more information, the public are encouraged to visit the nearest health facilities for HIV testing and to learn more about prevention and care. (MJSC/MAGP, PIA Region 3-Pampanga GIP)