The Department of Health (DOH) has raised the alarm following the release of its latest surveillance report, which reveals a significant and concerning increase in new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases across the Philippines.
Sharp Rise in Daily HIV Diagnoses
According to the 3rd Quarter HIV and Aids Surveillance of the Philippines report issued on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, the country recorded a total of 5,583 new HIV cases in the period from July to September 2025. A detailed monthly breakdown shows that 2,176 cases were diagnosed in July, followed by 1,608 in August, and 1,799 in September.
This recent data translates to an average of 61 individuals being diagnosed with HIV every single day during the third quarter of the year. This marks a troubling escalation from the same period in the previous year, where the daily average stood at 50 new cases.
Key Regions Driving the National Total
The health department pinpointed that the surge is not evenly distributed across the nation. Five specific regions were responsible for a substantial 61 percent of all reported cases, accounting for 3,408 of the total infections from July to September 2025.
The regions identified as the primary contributors are:
- National Capital Region (NCR)
- Calabarzon
- Central Luzon
- Central Visayas
- Davao Region
Expanded Testing Uncovers More Cases
In response to the rising numbers, the DOH provided a crucial explanation. The department attributes the higher case count not solely to an increase in transmission, but significantly to improved and expanded HIV testing services throughout the country.
The DOH stated that its enhanced testing strategies have successfully achieved a wider coverage for diagnosis. This more proactive approach to public health is effectively capturing a greater number of cases that may have previously gone undetected. As the department explained, "Expanded testing strategies yielded a wider coverage for diagnosis, thus capturing more cases in the country."
This report underscores a critical public health challenge, highlighting both the growing need for continued awareness and the importance of accessible testing and treatment services to manage the HIV situation in the Philippines.
