Latest news with #Palawan
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- General
- Al Bawaba
Philippines eyes HIV public health emergency amid 500% youth surge
Published June 3rd, 2025 - 06:21 GMT The country now has the highest number of new HIV infections in the Western Pacific Region. As of March 2025, a total of 148,831 HIV cases have been documented nationwide since 1984. ALBAWABA- The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) is pushing to declare HIV a national public health emergency following a staggering 500% increase in cases among Filipino youth aged 15 to 25. Also Read Millions to begin sacred Hajj journey tomorrow from Mina According to the Philippine News Agency, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, in a video message on Tuesday, warned of an accelerating crisis, citing the diagnosis of a 12-year-old child in Palawan, the youngest recorded case to date. Herbosa noted that while he did not detail youth-specific figures, the country now has the highest number of new HIV infections in the Western Pacific Region. As of March 2025, a total of 148,831 HIV cases have been documented nationwide since 1984. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa has urged President Marcos to declare a national public health emergency over Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), warning that the Philippines now records the highest increase in new HIV cases in the world. READ:… — Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) June 2, 2025 Alarmingly, 5,101 new cases were recorded in the first quarter alone, up from 3,409 in the same period last year. This brings the daily average to 57 new infections, compared to 37 previously. 'If we don't act now, the number of people living with HIV in the Philippines could surpass 400,000,' Herbosa cautioned. He said that declaring a public health emergency would mobilize a whole-of-government response, crucial to stemming the tide of new infections. Since 2007, HIV transmission in the country has been predominantly among males having sex with males, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. The DOH is advocating for a combination prevention strategy that includes consistent condom use, lubricants, and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Also Read Gaza truce fails over unexpected Israeli Obstacles Free, confidential HIV testing is available through government services, and those who test positive are urged to begin antiretroviral therapy immediately. To support treatment, PhilHealth offers an enhanced Outpatient HIV Treatment Package, providing up to PHP58,500 annually per patient, covering medication and related care. Herbosa, a member of the UNAIDS Board, emphasized the importance of international collaboration to address the growing epidemic and ensure sustainable access to resources. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Arab News
2 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Philippines sees 500% increase in HIV cases among young people
MANILA: The number of young Filipinos infected with HIV has increased by 500 percent, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Tuesday, as he called for a national public health emergency to be declared. The Philippines has been facing the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region due to the continuous rise in infections. Health officials have been recording around 56 new cases daily since the beginning of April, a total of 5,101. The latest figure is approximately 50 percent higher than during the same period last year. 'We've seen a 500 percent increase in HIV cases among those aged 15 to 25. In fact, the youngest person diagnosed was just 12 years old, in the province of Palawan,' Herbosa said in a video statement. 'Based on our data, we now have the highest number of new cases in the Western Pacific region. What's frightening is the high number of new cases among our youth.' The Philippines saw a 543 percent increase in new infections between 2010 and 2023, according to the UNAIDS global report released in November. There are currently 148,831 active HIV cases in the country, which has a population of 117 million. While the spread of HIV has slowed drastically in many parts of the world since the epidemic's peak in 1995, infections have been rising steeply for over a decade in the Philippines. Officials recorded 48 daily cases on average last year, compared to 21 in 2014. The government has warned that if the current trend continues, the number of people living with HIV could more than double. 'If we don't stop the increase in HIV cases, we could reach over 400,000 people living with HIV … It would be better to declare a public health emergency or national emergency for HIV, so that the entire society and government can work together in this campaign to reduce new cases,' said Herbosa. Though screening for the virus and treatment is free in state-run clinics, stigma surrounding HIV continues to be a major barrier for many Filipinos. Only 55 percent of those living with the virus in the Philippines have been diagnosed, according to government data, while only 66 percent of those are on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. 'Some people are afraid to get tested,' Herbosa said. 'We now also have HIV self-test kits in the Philippines, and I hope these self-test kits are used, especially to address the stigma.'
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
South China Sea: Filipino activists stage ‘sea concert' to resist Beijing claims
Combining protest with performance, Filipino activists staged a 'sea concert' near the disputed Thitu Island in the South China Sea this week – a symbolic act of resistance that analysts say may not advance legal claims but could help galvanise regional solidarity and draw global attention. Advertisement The event, organised by the Atin Ito (This Is Ours) coalition, took place aboard the civilian vessel M/V Kapitan Felix Oca, which set sail from Palawan in the early hours of Tuesday carrying volunteers and artists from across Southeast Asia Hours into the journey, the ship and its two Philippine coastguard escorts were shadowed by Chinese coastguard vessels, which issued a radio challenge asserting Beijing's sovereignty over the area. A voice from one of the Chinese ships cited 'China's domestic law and international law' – including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – and claimed a 2016 arbitral ruling was 'illegal' and China 'neither accepts nor recognises' it. The Philippine coastguard stated the vessels were operating lawfully within its exclusive economic zone, referencing the country's Maritime Zones Act , UNCLOS, and a 2016 Hague tribunal decision that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. A female crew member was heard telling the Chinese vessels they had 'no legal authority to patrol' the area and should 'depart immediately.' While no incident ensued, the ship's captain, Jorge dela Cruz said the shadowing was 'alarming,' considering the vessel was just 40 nautical miles from the Philippine mainland. Advertisement
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Philippines, US hold joint maritime drills in South China Sea
The 'maritime cooperative activity' included communication drills and search-and-rescue scenarios. (EPA Images pic) MANILA : Coast guard vessels of the Philippines and the US have taken part for the first time in joint maritime exercises with naval and air force units in the contested South China Sea, Manila's armed forces said today. The exercises, held on Tuesday in waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, involved the Philippine navy, air force, and coast guard, alongside the US coast guard Cutter Stratton and a US navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The 'maritime cooperative activity', which was the second for the year and sixth overall since the allies launched the joint activities in 2023, included communication drills and search-and-rescue scenarios, the military said in a statement. 'Joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the armed forces of the Philippines' commitment to modernising its capabilities and strengthening defence partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests,' AFP chief Romeo Brawner said. Relations between the Philippines and China have been strained by disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. China claims most of the strategic waterway despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that found Beijing's claims have no basis under international law. China does not recognise the decision.
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Philippines, US Hold Joint Maritime Drills in South China Sea
Coast Guard vessels of the Philippines and the United States have taken part for the first time in joint maritime exercises with naval and air force units in the contested South China Sea, Manila's armed forces said on Wednesday. The exercises, held on Tuesday in waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, involved the Philippine Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, alongside the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The "maritime cooperative activity," which was the second for the year and sixth overall since the allies launched the joint activities in 2023, included communication drills and search-and-rescue scenarios, the military said in a statement. "Joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the Armed Forces of the Philippines' commitment to modernizing its capabilities and strengthening defense partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests," AFP Chief Romeo Brawner said. Relations between the Philippines and China have been strained by disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. China claims most of the strategic waterway despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that found Beijing's claims have no basis under international law. China does not recognize the decision.
