Sharp Rise in HIV Cases Recorded in the Philippines
The Department of Health (DOH) announced a significant and concerning increase in new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases across the Philippines for the third quarter of 2025. The data, released on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, reveals that 5,583 new HIV cases were confirmed from July to September of that year.
Quarterly Breakdown and Alarming Trend
The DOH's 3rd Quarter HIV and Aids Surveillance report provides a detailed monthly breakdown: 2,176 cases in July, followed by 1,608 in August, and 1,799 in September. This figure represents a 22 percent increase compared to the number of cases recorded during the same period in 2024, highlighting a rapid acceleration in the spread of the virus.
This surge translates to a sobering daily average. The health department reported that as of the third quarter of 2025, an average of 61 individuals were diagnosed with HIV every day. This marks a significant jump from the daily average of 50 new cases seen in the same quarter of the previous year, confirming a clear and worrying upward trend.
Regional Hotspots and Cause for the Increase
The DOH identified five specific regions that accounted for the majority of the new infections. Together, National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Davao Region were responsible for 61 percent of the total cases, or 3,408 of the 5,583 new infections reported in the three-month period.
Despite the alarming numbers, the health department attributes the rising data to a positive development: improved HIV testing nationwide. The DOH explained that expanded testing strategies have led to a wider coverage for diagnosis, effectively capturing more cases that might have previously gone undetected. This enhanced surveillance is a critical step in connecting individuals with treatment and managing the epidemic, even as the reported numbers climb.
