HIV and AIDS
Certain members of the LGBTQI community continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS.
Gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women belong to “key populations” who are vulnerable to HIV and frequently experience rights-based barriers to accessing services. HIV-related discrimination refers to the unfair and unjust treatment of a person or group of people on the basis of their actual or perceived HIV status. For key populations, fear of judgement and harassment from service providers and other members of their communities result in fear from seeking treatment and care.
In the Philippines, the Republic Act No. 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV. However, a range of other barriers to accessing services contribute to the prevalence of HIV.
With some barriers unique to the LGBTQI community, the lack of a national law that protects persons of diverse SOGIESC from discrimination further obstructs effective HIV response.
Infographics on HIV and AIDS
Where can I access HIV and AIDS services?
For more detailed information on HIV facilities in the Philippines, a directory is available at commusta.ph
Key Documents
7th AIDS Medium Term Plan 2023-2028
Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC)
The AIDS Medium Term Plan is the country’s guide for strategic HIV response. The document is written in accordance with the latest internationally and locally approved frameworks, policies, and conventions surrounding the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Philippines. Each plan runs for six years and is ideally evaluated towards the end of the 6th year to inform the development of the next medium-term plan.
Primer on the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 or RA 11166 (2019)
Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC)
This document provides a primer on the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 or RA 11166. It contains the copy of the law, its implementing rules and regulations, as well as frequently asked questions relevant to the law.
PNAC Human Rights Roadmap (2021)
Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC)
Developed by the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), an inter-agency government body mandated to spearhead the national HIV response. It is a strategic plan to address rights-based barriers and outlines desired outcomes and goals.
HIV Community Agenda (2021)
Amara Quesada
A product of the collective effort of civil society organizations (CSOs) working on HIV, communities of people living with HIV, and key and vulnerable populations. This document outlines the key advocacy priorities of these communities at the national and local levels. It also outlines the areas of advocacy that HIV CSOs and affected communities deem crucial to be integrated into the country’s strategies and investments in ending AIDS.
Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 (2021)
UNAIDS
Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 - End Inequalities. End AIDS. is a bold new approach to use an inequalities lens to close the gaps that are preventing progress towards ending AIDS. The Global AIDS Strategy aims to reduce these inequalities that drive the AIDS epidemic and prioritize people who are not yet accessing life-saving HIV services. The Strategy sets out evidence-based priority actions and bold targets to get every country and every community on-track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Exploratory study on the risk and barriers to service uptake among Women Living with HIV (2020)
Epidemiology Bureau, Department of Health Philippines
This study sheds light on the circumstances of HIV infection among Filipino women living with HIV, the changes brought about by their HIV diagnosis, and the struggles they had to overcome both in relation to the biomedical and psychosocial aspects of their condition.
Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) Technical Report (2018)
Epidemiology Bureau, Department of Health Philippines
The IHBSS is a study primarily conducted by the Epidemiology Bureau that aims to determine the prevalence of HIV-AIDS and STD in the Philippines, and to better understand behavioral factors that lead to such prevalence.
National HIV Joint Program Review Philippines (2019)
Philippine Department of Health (DOH) National AIDS and STI Prevention Control Program (NASPCP)
The Joint Program Review of the Health Sector Plan for HIV and STI 2015-2020 was conducted to review and determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the current HIV Program Strategy and Implementation among key affected populations across the continuum of services.
The Philippine Stigma Index Study Report (2019)
Elma P. Laguna, Dr.rer.pol & Justine Kristel Villegas
The Philippine Stigma Index Study 2.0 is an attempt to document and to an extent possible measure the level of stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIVs. Since its first stigma index study in 2010, the current initiative also aims to measure changes, and assess the impact of intervention programs to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination.
Rapid Assessment: COVID-19 Pandemic and HIV in the PH (2020)
Epidemiology Bureau, Department of Health Philippines
The Epidemiology Bureau and the National AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health together with Save the Children, UNDP, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNODC, WHO and USAID conducted a rapid assessment to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the country’s HIV program and guide forward implementation.
Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030 (2021)
United Nations General Assembly
Member States at the High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS adopted a Political Declaration in order to get the world on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This document outlines the commitments and agreements over the next five years.
Campaigns by Lagablab LGBT Network
on SOGIE Equality