Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro pledged to strengthen HIV programs across the province during the World AIDS Day event on Monday, December 1, themed “Umpisahan sa Pamilya ang Laban Kontra HIV; Buksan ang Usapan Tungkol sa Sexual Health.”
Baricuatro acknowledged that discussing sexual health with children is challenging but emphasized that silence is even more dangerous.
“Talking to our children about sexual health protection and as responsibility is not really easy but silence is even more dangerous when we do not talk, misinformation fills the gap—and when fear wins over understanding, our young people are the ones who suffer,” she said.
She stressed the importance of knowledge, early testing, and compassion, adding: “That is why we are here today to break the silence, to open doors, and to remind every Cebuano that knowledge protects, early testing saves lives, and compassion heals. Let me say this clearly: No one should ever feel ashamed to ask for help. No one should be judged for seeking information, getting tested or receiving treatment. As your governor, I promise that the province of Cebu will continue strengthening our HIV program from awareness campaign, to testing, to treatment, to youth focus education in our barangays.”
Baricuatro highlighted Cebu’s high HIV rate and her goal to prevent the province from becoming the “HIV capital of the Philippines.”
“As we know very well, taas kayong atong rate of HIV dericaron sa Cebu and it’s alarming—and I don’t want Cebu to be known as [the] HIV capital of the Philippines. So we really have to do our part,” she said.
She added that the province will collaborate closely with the Department of Health, hospitals, health workers, advocates, and communities to address the issue.
Recent reports show that over 5,000 new HIV cases were recorded in the Philippines from July to September 2025.