About 1,500 stakeholders composed of mayors, government employees, health workers, and representatives from other institutions join on Friday the Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2018 at the Bataan People’s Center, Balanga City. The event aims to remember those who have died of AIDS related illness, and to recognize the importance of multi-sectoral interventions for HIV strategic program implementations.(Mar Jay S. Delas Alas/PIA 3)
BALANGA CITY — Bataan Governor Albert Raymond Garcia cited Friday his initiatives to overcome challenges arising in the province including battling illnesses such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
“Our vision for the province is to have quality growth that would lead to the highest HDI [human development index] in the country,” he said during the Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2018 held at Bataan People’s Center in Balanga City.
In front of about 1,500 stakeholders, Garcia said that one of his priorities in the province is to prolong the life expectancy of his constituents.
“As public servants, our role is to boost the economy that will result for a better life quality of every citizen. Among the three components of HDI, health is the most important,” he added.
He also stressed the alarming increase of reported HIV and AIDS cases in the Philippines.
According to the recent data of the Department of Health (DOH), Central Luzon is the fourth region in the country with the most cases of HIV and AIDS.
In Bataan, a total of 229 HIV and AIDS cases were already reported.
With this, Garcia engaged the public to raise awareness to fight the widespread of the deadly virus.
“We need to conduct more activities that would create awareness and education about the virus. By doing so, we can prevent it and guarantee a quality of life for our fellow Filipinos,” Garcia said.
The AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2018 was spearheaded by DOH and Provincial Government of Bataan.
It aims to remember those who have died of AIDS-related illness and recognize the importance of multi-sectoral interventions for HIV strategic programs.