File photo taken Nov. 2, 2019 as AIDS Society Philippines staff talk to visitors about HIV AIDS and offer free testing. New cases of HIV in Quezon City reached 421, according to city government Sunday. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines 鈥斅� Quezon City recorded 421 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases from January to May this year. That is over 7.7 percent higher than the cases logged in the same period in 2024.
The city government bared this in a statement on Sunday following the pronouncement of the Department of Health (DOH) that HIV cases in the country have surged by 500 percent. This prompted the agency to call on the government to declare a national public health emergency.
搁贰础顿:听DOH-seeks-marcos-nod-to-declare-hiv-surge-a-health-emergency
鈥淔rom January to May 2025, Quezon City recorded 421 new HIV diagnoses, marking a 7.7 percent increase compared to the 391 cases during the same period in 2024,鈥� it said.
鈥淸Thirty-five] percent or 149 of those diagnosed with HIV this year are among the Young Key Population or aged between 15-24 years old, 40 percent of whom are students,鈥� it added.
In line with this, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city government is making sure that these patients are receiving the treatment they need in the city鈥檚 Social Hygiene Clinics.
`Significant rise鈥�
Over the past three years, the local government said that it saw a 鈥渃onsistent and significant rise鈥� in HIV testing. For instance, 21,000 people took the test from January to May this year, which is 16.7 percent higher than the figure in 2024, 22.5 percent more than in 2023, and 60 percent in 2022.
With the surge of cases, the city government said that it will boost its early detection, holistic treatment, and proactive prevention.
Among its initiatives is the establishment of Social Hygiene and Sundown Clinics in five of its six districts. It will also open Klinika Talipapa in District 6, completing the citywide network by 2026.
鈥淭hese clinics offer free and confidential services such as HIV and AIDS testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), counseling, as well as testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections,鈥� Quezon City statement said.
鈥淭hese facilities open beyond regular clinic hours, ensuring accessibility and privacy even to those who work long or irregular shifts,鈥� it added.
The local government also has other initiatives to address HIV-related issues, one of which is Klinika Eastwood鈥檚 鈥淒rive, Park, and Test鈥� program, allowing clients to receive HIV testing from the comfort of their vehicles./mr