A silent epidemic is raging across the Philippines and it’s accelerating fast. The Department of Health (DOH) has issued an urgent call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a National Public Health Emergency as HIV cases skyrocket to unprecedented levels, especially among the youth.
The Alarming Numbers
From January to March 2025 alone, a staggering 5,101 new HIV cases were recorded. That’s nearly 60 Filipinos testing positive every single day. This marks a 50% surge compared to the same period last year, cementing the Philippines’ position as the fastest-growing HIV hotspot in the entire Western Pacific.
But it doesn’t stop there. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has warned that infections among young people aged 15 to 25 have exploded by a jaw-dropping 500%. Even more disturbing: a 12-year-old child in Palawan was recently diagnosed, a stark reminder that the virus knows no age.
“We’re Facing a Public Health Catastrophe” – DOH Chief Sounds the Alarm
“This is no longer just a health concern. It’s a crisis,” Herbosa declared. “We’re calling for a whole-of-society mobilization. Schools, families, local governments, the private sector, everyone must act, and they must act now.”
If the President approves the emergency declaration under Republic Act No. 11332, it will unleash a nationwide coordinated effort similar to the one used during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Youth in the Crosshairs
The data paints a grim picture. Teens and young adults, many unaware they’re even at risk, are being hit hardest. Despite awareness campaigns, stigma, lack of access to prevention tools, and silence around sexual health continue to fuel the epidemic’s spread in the shadows.
Urgent Tools for Prevention and Survival
The DOH is urging everyone especially the vulnerable, to use the tools already available:
- Free and Anonymous HIV Testing is available nationwide through health centers, community clinics, and mobile units.
- Reputable Testing Kits available from hivtestkit.ph
- PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is now offered to high-risk individuals. A simple daily pill that drastically reduces the chance of infection.
- Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is free and life-saving, capable of suppressing the virus and allowing individuals to live full, healthy lives.
A Preventable Outbreak — If We Act Now
“This isn’t just a virus. It’s a wake-up call.” says Herbosa. “We can stop this. But only if we treat it like the emergency it is.”
The HIV epidemic is no longer creeping. It’s roaring. And if swift, unified action isn’t taken, the Philippines may face a full-blown health disaster with devastating consequences for the next generation.
