02 February 2015 – The Philippine delegation headed by Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Leah C. Tanodra-Armamento highlighted the Philippines’ achievements in addressing HIV and AIDS during the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) on HIV and AIDS held on January 28 to 30 at the UNESCAP in Bangkok.

The Philippines was elected as Vice Chair during the IGM.

In a statement delivered during the meeting, Assistant Secretary Benjamin Reyes of the Dangerous Drugs Board noted that the Philippines’ HIV prevalence among the general population remains low at about 0.051% in 2013.

The Philippine delegation also noted during the meeting that the Philippines continuously strives to improve the implementation of the National Strategic Plan, which is guided by the recommendations from the Mid-term evaluation  conducted by a pool of experts in the field. The delegation likewise mentioned that the Philippines employs numerous measures to minimize HIV and AIDS incidence in the country. The measures include the continuous intensification of the information and education campaign on the virus among Key Affected Population (KAP) and the general population, improvement in the surveillance system by mapping KAP and adding surveillance sites, increase in the prevention coverage of the KAP by expanding services such as outreach services and community mobilization, addition of social hygiene clinics and treatment hubs with trained staff, and inclusion of HIV and AIDS in the Philippine Health Insurance Plans. END