Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.
Secretary

As the nation marks World AIDS Day, I join all the people living with HIV/AIDS everywhere in their continuing fight to finally end and defeat this life-threatening disease.

I also express the DILG’s commitment and support to the Department of Health (DOH) in reaching our global goal of ending the HIV epidemic.

According to DOH, there are 50 new daily HIV cases reported in the country this 2023.

This is more than double the 22 daily case rate in the previous year.

This is very alarming and something must be done to arrest this dire situation.

This year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Let Communities Lead”, emphasizes the importance of a robust and sustainable community-led response against HIV.

Thus, I am appealing to all our local chief executives (LCEs) nationwide to create or reactivate their Local AIDS Councils (LAC)/Local AIDS Coordinating Body, to take the lead in the implementation of LGU interventions on HIV/AIDS.

We also appeal for the support of other sectors and stakeholders to help us create an environment that is responsive to the needs of our vulnerable sectors.

Only through unified and collective action will we be able to end the HIV epidemic in the country.

Ipakita po natin ang ating pagkakaisa upang mapagtagumpayan ang giyera kontra HIV/AIDS at upang makamit ang pangarap nating malusog, ligtas, payapa, at masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.

Original Article at: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-STATEMENT-ON-WORLD-AIDS-DAY-/NC-2023-1266