The Department of Health (DOH) successfully provided free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services to approximately 2,500 individuals during its World AIDS Day 2025 commemoration at Liwasang Aurora in Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday, November 29.
Alarming Rise in HIV Cases
Recent data from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau reveals a disturbing trend in HIV infections across the Philippines. New HIV infections have increased by 550 percent from 2010 to 2024, with young people aged 15 to 24 being particularly affected.
The third quarter of 2025 showed a significant 22 percent jump in confirmed HIV-positive cases compared to the same period last year. From July to September 2025, health authorities recorded 5,583 new cases, up from 4,595 cases during the same months in 2024.
Daily case detection averaged 61 cases per day during this period, higher than last year's third-quarter average of 51 cases daily.
Demographic and Regional Patterns
The newly confirmed infections showed distinct demographic patterns. Males accounted for 95 percent of cases (5,299 individuals), while females represented five percent (282 individuals). Cases ranged from 1 to 73 years old, with a median age of 27.
Several regions reported the highest numbers of newly diagnosed cases from July to September 2025:
- National Capital Region (NCR)
- Calabarzon
- Central Luzon
- Central Visayas
- Davao Region
These five regions accounted for 61 percent (3,408 cases) of the total infections recorded during this period.
Since the first reported HIV case in the Philippines in 1984 through September 2025, approximately 159,278 confirmed HIV cases have been reported to the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines.
Positive Developments in HIV Management
Despite the overall increase in cases, health officials noted some encouraging progress. The number of individuals diagnosed with advanced HIV infection at the time of diagnosis has decreased significantly.
Only 16 percent of recorded cases had advanced HIV disease, representing a 31 percent reduction compared to the 1,301 cases reported during the same period in 2024.
The World AIDS Day event featured Health Secretary Ted Herbosa leading the opening ceremonies, joined by Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) ambassadors and Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) advocates.
The DOH intensified its activities focusing on HIV awareness, prevention, and stigma reduction. Various booths offered free HIV screening, testing, and counseling, along with HPV services for individuals with HIV who face higher risks for HPV-related conditions.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in Zumba sessions, an AIDS Walk, discussions with U=U ambassadors, and an HIV 101 quiz bee - all designed to broaden community knowledge on HIV prevention and treatment.
The annual observance aimed to raise public awareness about HIV and AIDS, express solidarity with Persons Living with HIV, and strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
