With the number of confirmed HIV cases in the Philippines now averaging 56 new infections daily, the Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for the declaration of a national public health emergency.
From January to April 2025, the DOH recorded 6,703 new HIV cases—a 44% increase compared to the same period last year. As of April, the total number of Filipinos living with HIV has reached 150,433.
“This rise is alarming,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who underscored that the Philippines currently has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific Region. He emphasized that a formal emergency declaration could galvanize national action.
“Ang maganda [ay] magkaroon tayo ng public health emergency, national emergency for HIV dahil magtutulong-tulong ang buong lipunan,” he said. “A whole-of-society and whole-of-government [approach] can help us in this campaign na mapababa ang new cases of HIV.”
The epidemic’s shift toward a younger demographic is particularly concerning. DOH data shows that four out of five newly diagnosed individuals are below the age of 35. Of these, half are between 25 and 34 years old, while nearly a third are aged 15 to 24. Herbosa also noted the youngest confirmed case involved a 12-year-old from Palawan.
Daily reported cases have jumped sharply over the years—from 21 per day in 2014 to 48 in 2024, and now 56.
Although the country has seen a rise in mpox cases, Herbosa was clear on what he believes should be the priority. “Ang malaking problema po natin ay hindi monkeypox kundi ang paglaganap ng HIV,” he said.
Currently, only the president has the power to declare a national public health emergency. The DOH is expected to formally recommend the move to the Office of the President soon.
