BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The City Government of Baguio through its Health Services Office, in partnership with the Baguio AIDS Watch Council (AWAC), the Department of Health – Cordillera (DOH – CAR) and Baguio Association of Bars and Entertainers (BABES) joined the nation in the observance of World AIDS Day with a motorcade around the city’s main thoroughfare and a program at Malcolm Square here on December 2.
Hundreds of employees and entertainers from over 40 night bars and other BABES establishments, representatives from the City HSOs and regional line agencies joined the observance that included fun activities, entertainment numbers, awareness campaign and a fashion show of night bar entertainers.
DOH – CAR Regional Director Dr. Rio Magpantay, in his keynote message, congratulated the organizers, guests and all others that participated in the event, highlighting the importance of whole – of – society approach in increasing HIV awareness and prevention, as cases continue to increase.
Recent DOH HIV/AIDS registry shows that there are 42 new cases per day being recorded in the country this 2022. In the Cordillera there are 91 new HIV cases recorded from January to September 2022 and a total of 756 cases from 1984 to present.
For Baguio City, the City HSO Reproductive Health and Wellness Center data shows a total of 549 HIV cases recorded since monitoring started in 1994 up to September 2022.
Magpantay, in his message also focused on three Ps in the HIV/AIDS campaign, namely “Pakikipaglaban” (continue the fight on HIV awareness and protection); “Pagtanggap” (acceptance that HIV infection remains a health concern and that People Living with HIV also have their right to be accepted and protected from discrimination) and “Pasasalamat” (being thankful for our everyday lives and to the continuing commitment to promote HIV/AIDS awareness).
Other guests who shared inspirational message during the World AIDS Day observance were AWAC President Marlene De Castro, City Council Committee on Health Chairperson Betty Lourdes Tabanda and Councilor Isabelo “Popo” Cosalan representing Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
On the part of the night entertainment industry, BABES President Allan Bandoy affirmed BABES’ continuing support to the governance and health advocacies of the City Government of Baguio.
December 1 of every year is being commemorated as World AIDS Day where people around the globe unites to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and show their support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remeber those who lost their lives to AIDS. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
