From taboo topic to national health emergency…
The Department of Health (DOH) just dropped a major wake-up call: HIV cases among 15 to 25-year-olds in the Philippines have risen by 500% over the past decade.
According to the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report:
- 5,101 new HIV cases were recorded in just the first quarter of 2025
- That’s an average of 57 Filipinos diagnosed with HIV every single day
- Since 1984, the country has logged 148,831 cases total
- The youngest person diagnosed in 2025? A 12-year-old from Palawan.
Yes, you read that right. A 12-year-old. This isn’t just a stat, but a crisis!
The data also isn’t just showing that the cases were in the big cities only as HIV is affecting communities nationwide, and it’s targeting younger Filipinos more than ever before. Experts are stating that several factors causing the spike is due to lack of comprehensive sex education, stigma and shame around getting tested or talking about safe sex, the unfortunate growing influence of hookup culture and dating apps without proper health awareness, and the general mindset of “di ko maigo ana”—until it’s too late.
Get Tested!
Knowledge is power in this evolving world, and let’s be real, it’s 2025! We can’t keep acting like talking about sex is something to be ashamed of. If we want to protect ourselves and our friends, we need to normalize conversations around HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.
Here’s what we can do:
- Get tested – most clinics offer free or low-cost HIV testing
- Use protection
- Educate yourself on PrEP and PEP
- Support your friends who might be going through it
Behind every stat is a story—of someone’s life, someone’s fear, someone who maybe didn’t know better or didn’t have the right info or support. It’s on us, especially this generation, to break the stigma!
So whether you’re in high school, college, working, or exploring your identity, it’s not “too soon” to start caring. HIV doesn’t discriminate, and neither should we.
Where to Get Help
Here are some places where you can get tested or talk to someone:
- LoveYourself PH – free testing centers in major cities
- DOH-accredited clinics in Cebu, Davao, CDO, Iloilo, and more
- Barangay health centers – some offer HIV screening days
This isn’t just a DOH issue. This is a community issue. A youth issue. A you and me issue. Di ta angay mauwaw sa pag-amping sa kaugalingon. Let’s change our mindset before the numbers get even worse.
