The Department of Health (DOH) recommended the declaration of a public health emergency as cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country reached over 5,000 in the first quarter.

Data from the DOH showed that 5,101 new HIV cases were recorded from January to March 2025 which is higher than the 3,409 new HIV cases recorded during the same period in 2024.

In his social media post, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa added that the recorded number of HIV cases in the Philippines are the highest in the Western Pacific Region with a 500 percent increase for the age group 15 to 25 years old.

"Based on our data, we have the highest number of new HIV cases in the Western Pacific Region," he said.

"In fact, the youngest we have diagnosed is 12 years old from Palawan," he added.

Herbosa said public health emergency declaration is needed to ensure a massive response to control the spread of HIV.

"It is better to declare a public health emergency for HIV so that everyone will help in the efforts," said Herbosa.

"HIV can already be treated. No one has to die due to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)," he added.

Herbos said "the whole of society and whole of government can help us in this campaign to bring down the new cases of HIV."

Amid the increasing cases, Herbosa stressed the need for the country to increase testing and for patients to undergo antiretroviral treatment .

"We already have self-test kits for HIV that are available in drugstores. Later on, we can just do confirmatory tests," said Herbosa.

The last public health emergency was declared by former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic, and it was lifted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in July 2023. DMS