PG-15: Parental Consent Not Required

On 20 December 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 11166 otherwise known as the “Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act” which repeals RA No. 8504 or the “Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.” Among the revisions made in the new law is that minors aged 15 to below 18 years old can now be tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) without parental / guardian consent.

HIVisions – The Gender Gap

Along with rising rates of HIV infection is the rising numbers of young Filipinos who are living with the virus – the latest HARP data shows that 28% of HIV cases were detected in people aged 15-24 years old. From 2006-2010, this particular age group contributed 25% of cases. Generally speaking, the age group contributing to the greatest number of cases is getting younger, and with the pace it is going, it is only a matter of time before the youth will be the greatest contributor to the number of HIV cases.

STATUS – HIV: What Does Your Mom Say About It?

It can be uncomfortable to talk about sex, especially with your child, but it doesn’t have to be. What parents can do is to establish an open communicative relationship about the topic, so their children do not feel ashamed to share their thoughts and feelings.

AIDSpheriences: World AIDS Day in the Philippines

The Philippines participated in commemorating The World AIDS Day 2016 event last Thursday, 1 December. In the Quezon City Memorial Circle, several non-government organizations along with directives from the Department of Health (DOH), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization (WHO) joined together to lead the advocacy of promoting sexual health awareness and ending the stigma that still looms around HIV/ AIDS today.