Baguio City raises HIV, AIDS awareness on 41st AIDS Candlelight Memorial
by Kate Merindo | May 12, 2024
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — To raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, the Baguio City AIDS Watch Council (AWAC), a multisectoral group, led the 41st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at Burnham Lake Platform on Friday, May 10.
With the theme “Put People First: Kandila ng Pagkalinga, Liwanag ng Pag-asa,” the event also aims to remember the lives lost because of the disease.
“Our duty does not end with remembrance alone,” Engr. Leandro Tabilog, representative of City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said. “Our mission is clear, we must educate, advocate, and improve healthcare access for all.”
Jomari Gandia, representing the community-based organizations (CBOs) in the city, shared a testimony of his experience as a person living with HIV.
“Sana po sa gabing ito is simulan po natin ang ating community na dapat walang diskriminasyon, walang stigma, at dapat yakapin po sa komunidad na nag-eexist po kami at dapat hindi po kami pandirian, katakutan, at itakwil sa lipunan,” Gandia said in his speech.
Darwin Babon, the Department of Health — Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) HIV/AIDS, STI Coordinator, also informed the public of the available HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, and support services in his solidarity message.
“Libre po ang gamot, libre po ang ating mga serbisyo kagaya ng laboratories and screening. There’s no reason for you to get afraid to be tested,” Babon said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, Acting City Health Officer, signed the Health Services Office (HSO) HIV Policy together with Babon and Engr. Tabilog.
The event ended with lighting of candles and candlelight memorial prayer by Fr. Benedict Villapa.
Different government agencies, community-based organizations (CBOs), and the Baguio Association of Night Spots (BANS) participated in the event.
Currently, there have been 63 HIV cases recorded from January to December 2023 in the city according to Gay Hope Alangsab, a nurse of HSO in a Kapihan sa Baguio press conference held on the same day prior to the candlelight ceremony.
Babon, the DOH-CAR HIV/AIDS, STI Coordinator, also said in the press conference that there are already seven HIV treatment facilities in the Cordillera region, with three of them located in Baguio City.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial has been held on the third Sunday of May since 1983.
