A top health official has issued a powerful call to dismantle the social taboo surrounding conversations about safe sex, declaring it a critical step for the Philippines in its fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Breaking the Barrier for HIV Literacy
Speaking at a World AIDS Day Community Event in Muntinlupa City on Friday, December 7, 2025, Department of Health – Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Director Tina Marasigan emphasized that open dialogue is the foundation of effective prevention. "Safe sex should be talked about because learning starts with conversation," Marasigan stated. "The discourse on HIV will not happen if you yourselves don’t know how to ask questions."
She argued that the proverbial barrier preventing these discussions must be broken to enable genuine public understanding. "We should be breaking that barrier so real HIV literacy can happen," the DOH official added during the event held at the Lyceum of Alabang.
Creating a Safe Space for Conversation
Marasigan directly linked the stigma around sex talks to the country's growing health challenge. "There should be a safe space to talk about sex. It should be a normal topic because the Philippines already has a problem with HIV," she said in Filipino. She stressed that removing this stigma is essential for all necessary information about HIV transmission and prevention to be shared openly and without judgment.
The health leader then presented a challenge to the diverse audience, which included college students and representatives from various organizations.
A Collective Assignment to Change Perspectives
"My assignment to each one of you: Do your own contribution to create a safe space to talk about sex," Marasigan urged. "If we can make sex discussions free of stigma, addressing HIV will follow." This call to action underscores the need for a societal shift, positioning every sector as a potential agent of change in normalizing these crucial health conversations.
The community event saw participation from key advocacy and support groups, including:
- Love Yourself
- Pilipinas Shell Foundation (PSFI)
- Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP)
- Several medical societies, such as the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines
The gathering highlighted a multi-sectoral approach to a public health issue that requires more than just medical solutions, demanding social and cultural engagement to foster education and reduce discrimination.
