2016-2018 Davao City AIDS Plan developed

The UCO and UNICEF provided technical assistance to the Davao City AIDS Council's three-day evidence-based planning workshop to develop its three-year costed plan addressing needs of its key populations. Davao City is one of seven priority big cities in the Joint UN Programme of Support till 2018.

2015-2017 Health Sector Strategic Plan on HIV developed

The Department of Health's National AIDS/STI Prevention and Control Program organized a workshop to finalize the 2015-2017 Health Sector Strategic Plan on AIDS on 15-17 July 2007 at Clark, Pampanga, Philippines. Around 25 stakeholders from different organizations attended, including UNAIDS, who provided technical inputs. The strategic plan will be costed in another workshop.

Photo: Bo Espinas

Possible source to fund P3billion HIV needs identified

Authors of Bill to amend the AIDS Law filed in the House of Representatives called a special meeting on July 10, 2014 to tackle the budget appropriation in the AIDS Bill. Congressman Baguilat advocated for PhP3b for HIV budget in 2015 to be covered by proceeds from the sin tax, based on the AIDS Investment Plan developed by DOH and PNAC with support from UNAIDS Country Office in the Philippines.

City of Manila amends AIDS Ordinance

The Amended City of Manila AIDS Council (CMAC) Ordinance has passed the third reading of the council. This is a triumph for both the City Health Office and the HIV and AIDS local partners who have been lobbying for this since mid-2013. The ordinance provides for hiring of 60 peer educators for the city; CMAC budget of about $46,000; strengthened prevention programs for entertainment establishment-based workers; continuing education programs and division of labour among agencies involved.

The City of Manila is one of the seven (7) areas supported by the 2012-2014 United Nations Joint Program on AIDS in the Philippines.

Protect the Goal Philippines Launched

The UNAIDS Country Office and the Philippine Football Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering the launch of Protect the Goal Philippine Campaign aligned with the global campaign.  The initiative is funded by Asian Development Bank as part of its support to 3 countries in the Asia Pacific Region.

New HIV Clinic opens in Quezon City

Quezon City recently opened a second sundown clinic inspired by the success of Klinika Bernardo, the first sun down clinic in the country, which catered to the needs of MSM. It operates from 3pm to 11pm to accommodate varying schedules especially the working and studying males. It has received a number of recognitions from different award-winning bodies in the country. With the opening of the second sundown clinic, the Quezon City government aims to reach more MSM especially those who are not able to go to other Social Hygiene Clinics in the City.

Quezon City is one of the seven (7) areas supported by the 2012-2014 United Nations Joint Program on AIDS in the Philippines.