Oct. 1, 2026 – The City Health Services Office (CHSO) under Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes continues to bolster its condom initiatives to promote safer sexual practices in the Summer Capital.
A recent inventory conducted by the CHSO reveals a slight increase in condom usage in the city since the implementation of the Namnama Clinic at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
CHSO Medical Officer IV Dr. Clement Bilalat said the minimal increase can be attributed to the limited accessibility of condoms.
“Hindi naman natin magawa iyon kasi medyo maraming issues surrounding that,” Bilalat says, noting the stigmatization surrounding the project. “So currently, ang strategies palang namin is ma-access either sa health center, private clinics or sa convention center.”
The initiative, which began last April, aims to combat the city’s rising number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) cases.
Bilalat added that alcohol use is another factor that may contribute to decreased condom usage as he estimated that around 40% to 50% of people use condoms when there is no alcohol involved, but this figure decreases by approximately 10% when alcohol is consumed.
“Kung bababa ang alcohol use among the younger populations in Baguio. Possibly na tataas yung usage ng condoms and bababa yung STD and pregnancies,” he explained when asked about its potential impact.
With ongoing discussions on the 2026 Revised Liquor Code, which proposes raising the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 23, Bilalat believes that doing so is only appropriate.
“They use a survey that was conducted. Yung population is from 10 years old to 24 years old. So nakita na pag yung age groups na ‘to, pag nalalasing sila, bumababa yung condom usage rate nila,” he disclosed.
Aside from the distribution of condoms, Bilalat also emphasized the need for educational discussions of safe sex practices in high schools and universities.
“Usually kapag nagcoconduct kami ng mga ‘bonjing’ activity wherein pumupunta sila dun sa schools and then they explain about reproductive health, mental health, and sexual health. Dun lang talaga namin naeexplain ang importance ng condoms and preventing STD and unexpected pregnancies,” he said.
Bilalat hopes the youth will continue to use the resources available to them, especially those who are sexually active and drink alcoholic drinks to reduce the spread of STI’s and prevent teenage pregnancies.
“Merong free condoms, libreng check up, libreng laboratories, and libreng gamot. So better na to be responsible citizens at i-utilize natin lahat ng materials and resources na binibigay ng gobyerno.” **Joyce Lorraine Mina /PIO-Baguio Intern/gabykeith
