dangalnationalnetwork

A network of gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, and transgender groups in the Philippines

January 4, 2013 HON. FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR. Speaker House of Representatives Quezon City Dear Speaker Belmonte: On behalf of Dangal National Network, we would like to express deep gratitude and appreciation for your continued championing of stronger effective AIDS response in the country.The latest of this is your expressed support in the promotion of HIV testing and the ght against stigma attached to HIV testing. We believe that having high-ranking public ofcials such as yourself to volunteer to take the test is an effective approach to correct misconceptions around HIV testing, as well as stigma around HIV as well. In the United States, a National HIV Testing has been launched to encourage testing among most at-risk populations but through a novel strategy by encouraging celebrities and public ofcials to get tested, thus making HIV testing itself part of a routine procedure. With the rapid rise in reported HIV infection in the country, we have heard many calls to make HIV testing mandatory and to lift the condentiality of HIV test results. Dangal National Network believes that making HIV testing mandatory and enforcing disclosure of test results are dangerous. Mandatory testing and enforced disclosure of test results do not only violate the law, they also constitute a violation of human rights. Evidence from effective HIV programs indicate that it isineffective, since they it forces the stigmatized communities that need to know their HIV status to go underground, making it harder for our HIV services to reach them. As the rst public ofcial to welcome Dangals call, we admire your dedication to respond to the much-needed support for the prevention of HIV, and we believe that you are in a good position to help move the cause forward. We likewise hope to get your support to take the initiative a step further. Dangal and several other partner institutions would like to hold a mobile HIV testing at the House of Representatives, and we would like to explore the possibility of doing this in partnership with your ofce and having this as the venue for you to
Secretariat: TLF Share, Rm 305, AP Escueta Building,819 Aurora Boulevard, Barangay Immaculate Conception,Quezon City, Philippines. Email: tlfmanila@gmail.com Phone: (632) 358.3811 and 940.8800.

undergo take the HIV test.We would also like to request for your help, if possible, in lobbying for a resolution to have a National HIV Testing Day on which we can hold campaigns to encourage testing, and deliver messages to remove stigma against it and thereby increase uptake of HIV related prevention, treatment, care and support programs. We hope to set a meeting with you to be able to discuss the details of our proposal. Please let us know the schedule most convenient for you. Dangal National Network may be reached through its interim Secretariat, TLF Share. Again, thank you for your invaluable support, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of Dangal National Network, JONAS BAGAS President

Ramille Andag Secretary General

Ronnievin Pagtakhan Vice-President for NCR

Secretariat: TLF Share, Rm 305, AP Escueta Building,819 Aurora Boulevard, Barangay Immaculate Conception,Quezon City, Philippines. Email: tlfmanila@gmail.com Phone: (632) 358.3811 and 940.8800.