An opposition leader in the House of Representatives on Monday raised concern over reports that Philippines has registered the highest growth rate for human immunodeficiency virus infections in the Asia-Pacific.
“According to the latest report of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS], we have become the country with the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Asia Pacific region. This is, quite frankly, alarming and simply unacceptable,” deputy minority leader and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Harry Roque.
Roque also batted for the swift passage of the Philippine HIV and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Policy Act, where he is one of the principal authors, to help the Philippine government address the problem.
“The bill has already passed muster at the committee level. I hope that it will be acted quickly by plenary as HIV-AIDS is a very critical issue,” he added.
Eamonn Murphy, director of UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia-Pacific, earlier said the Philippines has a “small window of opportunity” to act on the epidemic.