THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed “deep concern” about the continuing vulnerability of the Filipino youth as it cited a Department of Health (DOH) report that showed that 31 percent of new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases involved young people ages 15 to 24 years old.
Even more alarming, as indicated in DOH’s HIV & AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Surveillance of the Philippines Report, was the 111.51 percent increase in HIV cases among minors aged 15 years old and below from March 2021 to March 2026, CHR Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc said.
Palpal-latoc said the DOH’s epidemiology bureau also reported that there were 4,633 new HIV cases in the first quarter of 2026 alone.
“While this represents a 9 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025, the commission remains deeply concerned about the continuing vulnerability of our youth,” the CHR chief said.
These figures underscore a troubling reality: the HIV epidemic is affecting younger Filipinos at an alarming rate, he stressed.
The CHR encouraged every Filipino to stand against the stigma surrounding people living with HIV.
“CHR reaffirms that dignity, equality, and access to health care are universal human rights that must be enjoyed by all, including persons living with HIV,” said Palpal-latoc, a lawyer.
He noted that while awareness of HIV has significantly improved over the years, the specific challenge of stigmatization for those living with HIV still persists.
The CHR also cited the efforts of the DOH and other concerned agencies in making the testing, treatment and antiretroviral therapy management of HIV highly accessible to the public.
Palpal-latoc said that normalizing HIV screening would be essential to break the fear of discrimination, as early detection guarantees timely treatment and empowers individuals to protect their health.
The CHR called on all sectors “to cultivate a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can access the care they need without fear of prejudice.”
