The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on the Philippine government to take urgent steps to stop the fast rise of HIV cases in the country. Health experts say the Philippines now has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in Asia.
According to reports from WHO and UNAIDS, new HIV infections in the Philippines have increased by more than 500 percent over the past ten years. In 2024 alone, over 29,000 new cases were recorded. The Department of Health (DOH) said that from January to March 2025, about 57 people were diagnosed with HIV every day. Many of these new cases involve young people aged 15 to 24.
The WHO said the situation is serious and needs a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” effort. This means that not only the health sector but also schools, local governments, private organizations, and communities must work together to stop the spread of HIV. The group supports the DOH’s plan to declare HIV a public health emergency, which would help the government focus more resources and attention on the issue.
Experts warn that not enough money is being spent on prevention. Only about 6 percent of the country’s HIV budget went to prevention programs in 2023. The WHO said the Philippines needs to improve access to free HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and public education about safe practices. Without stronger prevention, the number of infections could continue to rise quickly.
The WHO also said that fighting stigma and discrimination is important, especially among young people. Many Filipinos still get tested late, when HIV has already caused serious damage to their health, making treatment harder.
The Philippine government has started taking action. The DOH is giving out free HIV self-testing kits and antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also ordered agencies to improve HIV care and treatment across the country.
However, WHO officials warned that time is running out. If the country does not act fast, the number of people living with HIV in the Philippines could reach 400,000 by 2030. The WHO said the tools to prevent and treat HIV already exist. What is needed now is strong leadership and teamwork to protect lives.
