Duterte signs HIV and AIDS Policy Act

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Mr. Duterte signed Republic Act 11166, which would replace the 20-year-old Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act, on December 20.

“We consider its enactment and signing timely and relevant on account of the report of the Department of Health disclosing that our country has the highest percentage relative to the increase of new HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region from 2010 to 2016,” he said in a statement.

Panelo explained the new law provides for establishment of policies and programs to prevent spread of HIV and AIDS as well as “deliver proper treatment, care and support services to Filipinos living with HIV in accordance with evidence-based strategies and approaches which are in tune with key principles of human rights, gender equality and meaningful participation of communities.”

“We laud our lawmakers including various stakeholders who immensely contributed to the passage of an updated legal framework addressing HIV and AIDS. This piece of landmark legislation will significantly reduce the stigma of people living with HIV or AIDS,” Panelo said. /kga