Tacloban health authorities sounding alarm as city records 48 new HIV/AIDS cases by Q3 of 2023
In the city of Tacloban, Philippines, health officials are sounding the alarm over a significant increase in HIV/AIDS cases among the youth. This concerning trend is primarily linked to early and unprotected premarital sex, influenced by factors such as poor parental guidance, peer pressure, social media exposure, and poverty.
Research on youth sexual behavior in Eastern Visayas, where Tacloban is located, reveals that a substantial proportion of young people aged 15-24 engage in premarital sex. Among this age group, 24.1% of males and 16.2% of females reported having done so, with these figures rising further among those aged 20-24. Although many practiced safe sex during their first sexual experience, these statistics still reflect a vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Poverty exacerbates risky behaviors, leading to outcomes like teenage pregnancy and disrupted education, which further fuel susceptibility to HIV. According to the Department of Health (DOH), July 2025 alone saw 449 new HIV cases nationwide, a 62% increase from the previous year, highlighting the urgency of the epidemic.
Dr. Danilo Ecarma, Tacloban City's health officer, has stated that the increase in HIV/AIDS cases is significant and alarming. He emphasizes the importance of education and understanding of the disease in reducing HIV/AIDS cases. Providing sporadic testing can save lives, according to Ecarma.
To address the rise, efforts include increased government funding for HIV medical services, public campaigns to reduce stigma, free HIV testing, and calls for broader systemic reforms in education and youth empowerment to foster safer behaviors and improve access to healthcare. The Philippine National AIDS Council has been allocated PHP 66 million in the 2026 budget toward prompt medical services for people living with HIV, indicating government commitment to scaling up treatment and prevention efforts.
Human rights organizations, including the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), emphasize combating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV), which is crucial to encourage testing and treatment uptake. The CHR also advocates for empowering youth through improved access to quality education, health services, and social opportunities, which are fundamental for reducing HIV vulnerability and promoting safer behaviors.
Tacloban City has seen a total of 287 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) since 1984. From January to July this year, there were 48 new confirmed HIV/AIDS cases in Tacloban City. One AIDS-related death was documented in Tacloban in April of this year.
The Tacloban health office is intensifying its advocacy efforts regarding HIV/AIDS. The city's health facilities, such as the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), which has 12 HIV Treatment Hubs and one Primary HIV Care Clinic, play a crucial role in providing antiretroviral therapy and counselling services.
Ecarma stated that increasing tolerance and empathy of individuals who have contracted the disease is crucial. Fears and reducing discrimination and stigmas are key to increasing testing rates. Tacloban's health office offers free counseling and testing, making it easier for the youth to access these vital services.
As the battle against HIV/AIDS continues, it is clear that a comprehensive approach is needed, encompassing medical support, stigma reduction campaigns, expanded HIV testing, and systemic reforms targeting education and youth welfare to create an enabling environment for HIV prevention and care.
- Recognizing the urgency of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly amongst the youth in Tacloban, it is essential to implement a comprehensive approach that includes mental-health support and health-and-wellness education to promote safer sexual behaviors.
- To address the rise in HIV/AIDS cases, human rights organizations, such as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), advocate for improving mental-health resources and sexual-health education for young people, empowering them to make informed decisions and seek necessary treatment without fear of discrimination or stigma.
