Baguio lawmakers up drive vs HIV/AIDS

By Jordan Habbiling

\BAGUIO CITY -- The city’s legislative body has approved on final reading an ordinance expanding the city’s programs against the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
    Authored by Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales, the ordinance is aimed at bolstering the city’s mechanisms in curbing the increase of HIV cases by creating a strong network among clinical and public health professionals, the local government unit, community-based organizations, private agencies, and other relevant partners.
    Councilors Joel Alangsab, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, and Mylen Victoria Yaranon are co-authors of the ordinance.
    According to the ordinance, Baguio City remains to have the highest number of HIV cases in the region, breaching the 300-mark in November 2018.
    Through this ordinance, it shall be the policy of the city government to “declare war against HIV/AIDS” by actively promoting public awareness on the causes, modes of transmission, consequences, means of prevention and control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through comprehensive and city-wide information and educational campaigns carried out in schools, training centers, workplaces, and the grassroots. 
    In its war against HIV/AIDS, the city government shall adhere to generally-accepted principles of human rights, adopt gender-sensitive perspectives in dealing with STIs/HIV/AIDS, promote values formation, and employ scientifically-proven approaches.
    Through this ordinance, the city government shall address HIV-related stigma and discrimination in order to encourage people to get tested and seek medical help. 
    By putting into place a measure that is integrative and holistic, Orcales said the general public will be protected from the spread of HIV. 
    To achieve an integrative and holistic approach in addressing the rise of HIV and AIDS cases in the city, the City AIDS Watch Council (AWAC) shall be strengthened and reconstituted.
    The strengthening and reconstitution of AWAC shall improve service delivery to individuals in the city afflicted with STI/HIV/AIDS. 
    The AWAC shall remain as an integral part of city initiatives in combating HIV/AIDS in recognition of its role as a partner of the private sector in promoting preventive measures against the spread of STI/HIV/AIDS in the city. It has been in existence since 1987.    
    Among functions of the AWAC:
    provide necessary policy recommendations to the City Council for the effective and efficient implementation of prevention programs;
engage in advocacy work geared towards the promotion of educational activities for the prevention of STIs/HIV/AIDs in the city;
closely collaborate with the Local Health Board and other concerned offices in monitoring the prevalence of STIs/HIV/AIDS as well as plan, monitor, and evaluate the prevention and control programs of the city;
    facilitate medical and social assistance to people living with HIV; and
    organize activities aimed at enhancing the capabilities of interested parties in developing and implementing programs.
    The ordinance stipulated the city government shall strengthen the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center by adequately providing trained personnel, facilities, and funds. 
    Once enacted, the ordinance shall also mandate the operators, managers, and entertainers of entertainment establishments to attend seminars on HIV/AIDS prevention conducted by the City Health Services Office, AWAC, or civil society organizations (CSOs) accredited by the city government. Attendance to these seminars shall be a prerequisite for the issuance/renewal of an entertainment establishment’s permit to operate. 
    Other services, programs, and activities under the ordinance are conduct of awareness seminars; creation IEC education modules to be distributed to schools, workplaces, and barangays; availability and accessibility of prophylactics at the CHSO; workplace policy and education program; encouraging entertainment establishments to beco HIV/AIDS safe spaces where they can access information about STIV/HIV/AIDS and free condoms and lubricants; voluntary HIV testing; compilation of roster of entertainers/employees working in entertainment establishments/ social/community mobilization; monitoring programs; and observance of national and international HIV/AIDS programs such as World AIDS Day and annual AIDS candlelight memorial celebration. 
    One essential component of the proposed measure is protection of the rights of people living with HIV.
    The referral system of the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and network shall be adopted to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination and promote confidentiality. 
    An initial amount of P500,000 shall be appropriated for the implementation of programs and policies under this ordinance.
    The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office to be signed by the chief executive. -Jordan G. Habbiling