Government and private groups, along with advocates against Human Immunodeficiency Virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS), will join the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on May 23.
The event will be held at Rizal Park with the theme: “International AIDS Candlelight 2025: We Rise. We Remember. We Lead.”
Manuel Velasco of DAWAW-Mindanao AIDS Advocates Association, Inc., said during the I-Speak media forum that the event aims to remember those who have died from HIV-AIDS.
Meanwhile, Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) Head Dr. Jordana Ramiterre emphasized that the candlelight memorial is also dedicated to workers who have championed advocacy efforts for the protection, prevention, and treatment of HIV-AIDS.
Providing a rundown of the event’s activities, Velasco said that starting at 1 p.m., various programs will be conducted to raise awareness on HIV-AIDS
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“Padayon gihapon kita nga maghatag og awareness, [testing] para mahibal-an ang HIV status, aduna kita’y himoon nga presentation sa treatment hub ug ilahang mga serbisyo. (We will continue to provide awareness and testing for HIV status, and we will also present the services of treatment hubs in Davao City),” Velasco said.
Velasco noted that Davao City now has four accredited HIV treatment hubs. The newest, Jefferyi by LoveYourself, was recently accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), adding to the existing hubs RHWC, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and Davao Doctors Hospital.
These hubs provide Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV AIDS distributed by the DOH.
Ramiterre added that under RHWC, they offer free HIV testing, screening, and treatment.
“We provide them a link to care once they are confirmed positive, ” Ramiterre said, adding that should a person decide for treatment they immediately start treatment. The RHWC currently has an adequate supply of medicine.
Once enrolled in the treatment program, clients are entitled to regular blood test monitoring and lifetime follow-up care. RHWC also reaches out to clients who miss their medications. If mental health issues are involved, clients are referred to the City Health Office or, as needed, to the Southern Philippines Medical Center’s Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.
For prevention and control, the center also offers Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication for people at high risk of contracting HIV.
She emphasized that these services are accessible at the center, and people are encouraged to take advantage of them.
Ramiterre acknowledged that the continuing challenge is the fear and stigma surrounding HIV and HIV testing.
She noted that people’s behavior regarding access to services—especially testing—remains a concern. She added that they are working to become more proactive in their messaging, particularly as younger populations are becoming more at risk.
The center caters to an average of 400–500 individuals monthly for HIV testing.
In January this year, the Department of Health recorded 55 confirmed HIV cases among Davao City residents. For the first and second quarters of the year, RHWC, which also serves clients from neighboring areas, recorded 117 cases.
While the numbers are rising, Ramiterre explained that this may also indicate that more people are accessing testing and screening services.
She said they continue to train more individuals to conduct community-based screening.
Ramiterre assured that all screenings, as well as the identities of those who test positive for HIV-AIDS, are handled with the utmost confidentiality—not only at RHWC but also in other treatment hubs. CIO
