1 Effects of Hiv Rate To The Economy

Republic of the Philippines
BILIRAN PROVINCE STATE UNIVERSITY

ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
EFFECTS OF HIV RATE TO THE ECONOMY
A policy paper submitted to the BA Economics Department
School of Arts and Sciences
Biliran Province State University
By
Rachel Conejos
BA ECONOMICS 3A
By
Sergie Paul Cairo
BA ECONOMICS 3A
By
Crislyn L. Barotel
BA ECONOMICS 3A
DECEMBER 2022
Ground Floor Administration Building, Main Campus, P. Inocentes St., P.I. Garcia, Naval, Biliran Province, Phillipines 6560
Tel. (053) 507-0082‫ ן‬Telefax. (053) 507-0082 & Cell # 0995-471-5907
SUC Level III-A (Per DBM-CHED Joint Circular #B dated June 21, 2007
Website: www.bipsu.edu.ph ‫ ן‬Email: op@bipsu.edu.ph ‫ ן‬Facebook: www.facebook.com/WowBiPSU
#WoWBiPSU!
Executive Summary
HIV/AIDS is a severe challenge to economic development. Increasing mortality

and morbidity reduce living standards directly and have repercussions that affect all
areas of the economy. Individuals and households face increasing risks, both directly
through the risk of infection, and indirectly as formal and informal social insurance
mechanisms are eroded. Companies face productivity losses and rising costs of
medical and death-related benefits. At the macroeconomic level, economic growth
declines as the population grow more slowly and reduced national savings, rising costs,
and declining
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Introduction and Statement of the Problem
The Philippines is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, registering a gross

domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.7% at the end of 2017. Categorized as a newly
industrialized country, it is transitioning from one based on agriculture to one based more
on services and manufacturing (World Bank, 2018b). Human Immunodeficiency Virus is
an infection that attacks the body's immune system, especially the white blood cells called
CD4 cells. HIV destroys these CD4 cells, weakening a person's immunity against
opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis, fungal infections, severe bacterial
infections, and some cancer (WHO, 2012). HIV has been considered a pandemic disease
since its the first case appeared in 1981. As time progresses, many have been affected
by this disease. The disease has affected economic growth since it majorly infects young
adults in the age group of 15 to 24 years, who are in their most productive ages of life
(Singh, J. et al. 2009).
The Philippines is facing one of the fastest-growing epidemics of HIV in the Asia
Pacific region. According to official statistics, HIV prevalence among men who have sex
with men has increased tenfold in the last five years. National education on effective HIV
prevention methods is nonexistent, and laws prohibit condom access and HIV testing for
people under 18 without parental consent. These factors contribute to the worsening
epidemic among adolescent males who engage in same-sex practices.
President Rodrigo Duterte has inherited a legacy of failed or counterproductive

policies of previous administrations that are contributing to the alarming increase in HIV
infections among men who have sex with men (Conde, C. 2016). Reducing HIV
transmission isn’t rocket science. But it does require the Duterte government to implement
an HIV prevention program and remove obstacles to condom and HIV testing access so
that young Filipinos – particularly men who have sex with men – can protect themselves
from an otherwise preventable illness.
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Transmission can occur after one exposure. Anal sex the analysis, based on the
results of four studies, estimated the risk through receptive anal sex (receiving the penis
into the anus, also known as bottoming to be 1.4 %. (This means that an average of one
transmission occurred for every 71 exposures. Vaginal sex It is estimated the risk of HIV
transmission through receptive vaginal sex (receiving the penis to the vagina) is 0.08%
nine, equivalent to 1 transmission per 1,250 exposures). Oral sex, this is because it is
difficult to find people whose only risk of HIV transmission is unprotected oral sex. A
review of the available studies was published in 2008 and concluded that the vaginal and
penile oral sex poses a “low but non-zero transmission probability.
Review of the Policy Environment
HIV/ AIDS affects economic growth by reducing the availability of human capital.
Without proper prevention, nutrition, health care, and medicine that is available in
developing countries, large numbers of people are developing AIDS.
A. The HIV rate cases for the past ten years (2007 to 2016)
HIV Epidemic trends in the Philippines ( January 1984 to March 2016 )
The first case of HIV infection in the Philippines was reported in 1984. From
January 1984 to March 2016, there have been 32,647 HIV Ab zero-positive cases said to
the HARP. Ninety-one percent (29,805) of the total reported patients were asymptomatic
at the time of reporting. Ninety-two percent (30,136) were male, and 2,500 were female*.
The median age* was 28 years old (age range: 1 year- 82 years). More than half (16,697
or 51%) were from the 25-34 year age group, while 8,738 (27%) were youth aged 15-24
years. Eighty-two percent (26,632) of all the 32,647 diagnosed cases in the Philippines
were reported from January 2011 to March 2016. Most (93%) of these cases were still
asymptomatic at the reporting time.
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In the early years of the epidemic (1984-1990), 62% (133 of 216 cases) were
female. Beginning in 1991, more males were reported to be infected with HIV in the
Philippines. From 2011 to 2016, males comprised 96% (25,439) of the reported 26,632
cases. The age group with the most significant, proportion of patients has become
younger: from 2001 to 2005, it was 35-49 years; starting from 2006 to 2016, it was 2534
years. Notably, the proportion of HIV cases in the 15-24 years age group increased from
25% in 2006-2010 to 28% in 2011-2016.
A UNAIDS Report on the global HIV epidemic states that the number of new
infections in the Philippines has more than doubled in the past six years, from an
estimated 4,300 in 2010 to an estimated 10,500 in 2016. The Philippines has become the
country with the fast-growing HIV epidemic in Asia, and has become one of the eight
countries that account for more than 85% of new HIV infections in the Region
(UNAIDS,2010)
In January 2015, the Senate cut 1 billion pesos (about US$21 million) from the
Department of Health’s budget for family planning commodities. Doctors have warned
that without the Senate reinstating the needed funding, government clinics will likely
exhaust their condom supplies in early 2017. Local city governments in Balanga City and
Sorsogon City have issued directives forbidding government clinics from procuring and
distributing contraceptive products, including condoms.
Despite national laws mandating compulsory sex education, the Philippine

government has failed to offer adequate education programs on safe-sex practices. The
majority of public and private schools provide no sex education classes or instruction on
methods of prevention of sexually transmitted infections through safe-sex condom use.
Promotion and commercial marketing of condoms ignore the population of men who have
sex with men by focusing on heterosexual couples rather than lesbian, gay, bisexual, or
transgender (LGBT) people.
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Policies restricting access to condoms are a threat to public health. International

law obligates states to ensure access to condoms and related HIV prevention services as
part of the human right to the highest attainable standard of health. The International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ratified by the Philippines in 1974,
directs governments to take steps necessary for the “prevention, treatment and control of
epidemic … diseases,” including HIV/AIDS (hrw.org/news, 2016)
During the presidential election campaign, then-candidate Duterte spoke in favor

of improving the rights of LGBT people, which LGBT rights activists hope will extend to
needed policies for addressing the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men.
Duterte has also committed to improving the “professional competence and operational
capabilities” of public health care.
Philippine Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial announced on December 2 that the

Department of Health will begin distributing condoms in Philippine schools in 2017 to
address the rise in HIV infections among Philippine youth, and is considering the
distribution of HIV self-testing kits. Those are positive initiatives if the government can
ensure that children can access condoms and HIV self-testing kits through mechanisms
that are nonstigmatizing and encourage, rather than discourage, that access. The
Department of Health has also announced an initiative to encourage parents to teach
safer sexuality education at home, but did not provide details on the need for
comprehensive safer sexuality education in Philippine schools.
“The Duterte government has a golden opportunity to remedy the legal and policy
errors of previous administrations by implementing proven low-tech and low-cost
interventions that can help stop in its tracks the country’s HIV epidemic among men who
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have sex with men,” Conde said. “Failure to do so will only ensure that the alarming
number of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men will continue to
rise.”(hrw.org/news, 2016)
B. The GDP Growth targeting the health sector
The Philippines is an archipelago in the South-East Asia Region with a population

of 104.9 million as of 2017. It is the thirteenth most populous country in the world (World
Bank, 2018b). Most of Filipinos are Christian Malays (92.2%), with Roman Catholics
constituting 87.4% of the Christian population. Muslim minority groups, comprising 5.6%,
are concentrated in Mindanao. The country has an adult literacy rate of 96.5% (Philippine
Statistics Authority, 2017a). The Philippines is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies,
registering a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.7% at the end of 2017.
Categorized as a newly industrialized country, it is transitioning from one based on
agriculture to one based more on services and manufacturing (World Bank, 2018b).
Filipinos tend to live longer now than in previous decades, with life expectancy at
birth increasing from 62.2 years in 1980 to 69.1 years in 2016. This is attributed mainly to
the improving living conditions in the country. While it continues to combat pneumonia,
and tuberculosis (TB) as leading causes of death, the government also faces a growing
incidence of diseases of the heart, vascular system, malignant neoplasms, and diabetes.
The Philippines ranks third in the world in terms of exposure to disaster risk, with strong
typhoons occurring with high regularity. Inequity in health status and access to services
are considered the most critical health problems in the Philippines – arising from structural
defects in the basic building blocks of the Philippine health system. These are
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governance-associated challenges that serve as an impetus for the recent health reform
efforts in the country.
Total Health Expenditures
The total health expenditure (THE) of the Philippines has consistently increased
since 2005 and compares well with its neighbors. Government health expenditure has
risen significantly in nominal terms, but it has been eclipsed by private funding sources,
which have overgrown with the economy. Much of THE is for personal care, although the
government has raised spending on public health since 2007. The three major
components of public health financing have overlapping coverage. The DOH funds
regional and apex hospitals, whereas LGUs fund primary and secondary-level care.
PhilHealth reimburses government and private health facilities; it reportedly covers 92%
of the people, of which 40% of the poor population is subsidized by the Government for
premium payments. Covered services are focused on inpatient care, and outpatient
benefits cover only the poor with a little package. Financial security is limited, resulting in
a high level of household OOP payment.
Despite efforts to reform financial protection, the support value has not gone
beyond 52% and has stayed at one-third of the average value of claims. PhilHealth cannot
yet be considered a strategic purchaser of services because it accounts for a small share
of THE while OOP spending continues to be the dominant payment mechanism; cost
containment is a challenge despite the application of case base payment. Though
PhilHealth has been reformed from fee for service to “all -cause rates," these new rates
are not based on actual costs but on average claims with a few adjustments and require
further fine-tuning. Moreover, the policy of no-balance billing is not yet universal, leaving
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some providers to charge extra. The adoption of DRG should tighten the purchaser–
provider relations and gain more efficiency, but more work on patient information is
required. Voluntary private health insurance (PHI) is a minor funding source but provides
supplemental insurance to nonpoor households.
The continuously increased from PHP 198 billion in 2005 to PHP 585 billion in
2014. During the same period per capita, health expenditure increased from PHP 2624 in
2005 to PHP 5859 in 2014 (National Statistical Coordination Board, 2006a & 2015). The
share of the to GDP increased from 3.9% in 2005 to 4.7% in 2014, compared to 2.9% in
Indonesia, 4.1% in Thailand, and 7.1% in Viet Nam in 2014. Philippine per capita health
spending in 2014 was US$ 328.9, which is higher than Indonesia (US 299.4), but lower
than Viet Nam (US 390.5) (World Health Organization, 2016a).
Remaining Challenges
Health outcomes are generally improving, but the stagnant maternal mortality ratio
and neonatal mortality rate, and the sluggish pace of improvement in health outcomes
compared to neighboring countries, are worrisome. Many Filipinos suffer from diseases
that are preventable and treatable with cost-effective interventions. These include HIV,
TB, dengue and VPDs such as measles and diphtheria. Addressing health system
inefficiencies, and health inequities due to disorganized governance, fragmented health
financing, and devolved and pluralistic service delivery remain critical challenges to the
Philippine health system. For instance, PhilHealth, DOH, and LGU health facilities are
spending on the same maternal, and child health services while the growing cases of
NCDs, including the emergency care these conditions often require, are inadequately
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funded and poorly prioritized. Parallel funding by three sources (DOH, PhilHealth and
LGU) and lack of differentiation and harmonization in premiumfunded benefits versus tax-
funded services are the primary reasons for confusion and inefficiencies in Philippine
healthcare financing. Additionally, engaging the private sector in delivering health care in
the UHC context requires strong regulatory capacity, not only by using command and
control mechanisms but also by leveraging financing incentives. The impact of these
strategies has, however, yet to be developed and harnessed.
Reported HIV Rate (2007- 2016)
In March 2016, there were 736 new HIV Ab seropositive individuals reported to the
HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines. This was 10% higher compared to the same
period last year (667). Eighty-nine percent of the cases were asymptomatic at the time of
reporting. Most (97%) were male. The median age was 28 years old (age range: 8 years-
63 years). More than half belong to the 25-34 years age group, while 27% were youth
aged 15-24. The regions with the highest number of reported patients for March 2016
were: National Capital Region (NCR) with 284 (39%) cases, Region 4A with 94 (13%)
cases, Region 3 with 82 (11%) cases, Region 7 with 71 (10%) cases, and Region 11 with
65 (9%) cases. One hundred forty (19%) cases came from the rest of the country.
Reported modes of transmission (MOT) were sexual contact (709), needle sharing
among injecting drug users (IDU) [26], and mother-to-child transmission (1). Eighty-six
percent of those transmitted through sexual contact were among males who have sex
with males (MSM).
Mode of Transmission (2007-2016)
The first AIDS case in the Philippines was reported in 1984. From January 1984 to
December 2017, there have been 50,725 HIV Ab sero-positive cases reported to the
HARP. Ninety percent (45,645) of the total said patients were asymptomatic at the time
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of registering. Ninety-three percent (47,387) were male, and 3,327 (7%) were female*.
The median age* was 28 years old (age range: 1 year - 82 years). More than half (25,967
or 51%) were from the 25-34 years age group, while 14,171 (28%) were youth aged 15-
24 years. Eighty-four percent (42,361) of all the 50,725 diagnosed cases in the Philippines
were reported from January 2012 to December 2017 (Table 1). Most (90%) of these cases
were still asymptomatic at the reporting time.
In the early years of the epidemic (1984-1990), 62% (133 of 216 cases) were
female. From 1991 the present, males comprise HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC TRENDS IN THE
PHILIPPINES (January 1984 - December 2017) 94% (47,304 out of 50,509) of the total
number of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines in the time above period. However, the
absolute number of cases among females has also been increasing. Moreover, cases of
HIV transmission from mother-to-child are more likely to increase if female patients are
not linked to HIV care. Ninety-three percent (3,078) of all female cases were diagnosed
during their reproductive age (15-49 years old).
Also, in terms of age, the ratio of cases became younger: between 2001 to 2005,
it was 35-49 years; starting from 2006, the age proportion shifted to 25-34 years). The
proportion of HIV-positive cases in the 15-24 year age group increased from 25% in 2006-
2010 to 29% in 2011-2017.
Deaths among people with HIV
In December 2017, there were 69 reported deaths. Most (96%) were male (Table
More than half of the cases (40 or 58%) cases were from 25-34 year age group, seven
(10%) cases were from the youth aged 15-24 yo, 20 (29%) cases belonged from 35-49
year age group and two (3%) cases were 50 years old and above. Almost (99%) of the
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cases were infected through sexual contact (14 male-female sex, 36 male-male sex, 18
sex with both males & females) & there was one (1%) reported death who was infected
through sharing of needles. A total of 2,466 deaths were reported from January 1984 to
December 2017. Eighty-nine percent (2,203) were male. Of the reported deaths, almost
half (1,206 or 49%) of the cases belonged from 25-34 year age group, 19 (1%) cases
were aged less than 15 years old, 362 (15%) cases were from the youth aged 15-24 y.o.,
700 (28%) belong to 35-49 year age group, and 176 (7%) cases were aged 50 years and
above . Sexual contact (96%) was the standard mode of HIV transmission (568 male-
female sex, 1,145 male-male sex, 659 sex with both males and females). There were 45
reported deaths among those who were infected through sharing of needles, 18 deaths
among those who were infected through mother-to-child transmission, and nine among
those who were infected through blood transfusion.
A comparison of the modes of HIV transmission from the periods 1984-2006 and
2007-2016 shows that MSMs are now considered the primary driver of the HIV epidemic
in the Philippines. Before, 62 percent of HIV was transmitted through unprotected
heterosexual sex, but this has now been reduced to 15 percent. The significant dip in HIV
cases may have been due to the government’s intensified efforts targeting FSW and
OFW. However, unprotected male-to-male sex has now become the primary mode of
transmission at 49 percent. In May 2018 alone, more than half (56 percent) of the newly
diagnosed HIV cases came from the MSM subpopulation (DOH, 2018a). HIV prevalence
among M/TSM in ten sentinel sites (Angeles City, Baguio City, CebuCity, Cagayan de Oro
City, Davao City, General Santos City, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City, Pasay City, and
Quezon City) was at staggering 3.41 percent (DOH, 2015) from just 1.05 percent back in
2009 (DOH, 2011).
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Significantly declined Funding Support, Increasing New HIV Cases HIV response in the
Philippines is severely underfunded with a wide open resource gap. While it is true that
domestic spending from the government and the private sector has been increasing, the
rate of increase is not fast enough to meet the required funding and bridge the resource
gap in time. It is estimated that the government would need an average annual investment
of US$51 million (PhP2.7 billion)12 between 2015 and 2030 to reverse the HIV epidemic
(UNAIDS, 2015). With this annual amount, the number of new HIV infections can be
expected to go down to less than 500 new cases per year by 2020, effectively halting the
spread of the epidemic. In 2015 alone, the total combined (public, private and external
sources) HIV investment in the Philippines was just US$7 million (PhP901 million) –
US$34 million (PhP1.8 billion) short of the required annual investment of US$51 million
(PhP2.7 billion).
HIV investment from external sources has significantly declined by 38 percent in

2015 as global funding support shifted focus towards low-income African countries. An
assessment of the country’s HIV program readiness to transition from external support
revealed that the Philippines is exposed to moderate to high risk. As such, the country
must exert more effort to ensure a more sustainable transition from external funding
support by increasing domestic investment in HIV programs (Gotsadze, 2017).
HIV prevalence at any given age is the difference between the cumulative numbers
of people who have become affected with HIV up to this age and the number who died,
expressed as a percentage of the total number alive at this age. The basis of measuring
infection is the incidence for HIV among people aged 15-49. HIV/AIDS is one of the
world’s most essential killers and has its most significant impact on developing countries
and poor people. This indicator relates to MDG number six to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria,
and other diseases.
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Time is of the essence. Government, in partnership with all sectors concerned,

should fully commit now to addressing this national emergency and protecting the health
and development of this country and its people.
Data to support:
Background
The state of the HIV epidemic in the Philippines has been described as "low and
slow," which is in stark contrast to many other countries in the region. A review of the
conditions for HIV spread in the Philippines is necessary.
Methods
We evaluated the current epidemiology, trends in behavior, and public health

response in the Philippines to identify factors that could account for the current HIV
epidemic, as well as to review conditions that may be of concern for facilitating an
emerging epidemic.
Results
The past control of HIV in the Philippines cannot be attributed to any single factor,
nor is it necessarily a result of the actions of the Filipino government or other stakeholders.
Likely reasons for the epidemic's slow development include: the country's geography is
complicated; injecting drug use is relatively uncommon; a culture of sexual conservatism
exists; sex workers tend to have few clients; anal sex is relatively uncommon; and
circumcision rates are relatively high.
In contrast, there are numerous factors suggesting that HIV is increasing and ready
to emerge at high rates, including: the lowest documented rates of condom use in Asia;
increasing casual sexual activity; returning overseas Filipino workers from highprevalence
settings; widespread misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, and high needlesharing rates
among injecting drug users.
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Conclusions
Young adults, men who have sex with men, commercial sex workers, injecting drug
users, overseas Filipino workers, and the sexual partners of people in these groups are
particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. There is no guarantee that a large HIV epidemic
will be avoided shortly. Indeed, an expanding HIV epidemic is likely only a matter of time
as the components for such an epidemic are already present in the
Philippines.
Review
Southeast Asia is experiencing numerous and diverse HIV epidemics evolving at

varying rates, in different population groups, and other geographical areas. Approximately
5 to 10 million people are living with HIV in Asia, with prevalence estimates of well over
1% among adults in numerous countries. Yet there are some settings in which HIV
prevalence has remained relatively very low.
The Philippines is one of the exceptional countries that has not faced a large HIV
epidemic. It is essential to understand the reasons for the disparate nature of HIV in this
country to ascertain whether lessons can be learned for effective control in other settings
and to ensure that a large HIV epidemic does not emerge in the Philippines. The first
recorded case of HIV infection in the Philippines was in 1984. Since then, the country has
maintained an HIV prevalence of less than 0.1%, even among populations at high-risk
populations. The geography of the Philippines may be one of the first reasons for the slow
spread of HIV. The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7000 islands and islets; its
complicated geography and separateness from mainland Asia could aid in shielding it
from the larger regional epidemic.
Additionally, the initial core group of people usually affected with HIV in Asian
epidemics is not present to a large extent in the Philippines. Most HIV epidemics in
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southeast Asian settings initially establish among injecting drug users (IDUs). However,
there are meager numbers of IDUs in the Philippines compared with most other southeast
Asian countries. Currently there are only an estimated 10,000 IDUs in the Philippines [13]
(out of its population of ~90 million people; that is, 0.01%). In comparison, neighboring
Thailand, China, and Indonesia have estimated IDU population sizes (and population
proportions) of 160,000 (0.38%), 1,800,000 (0.25%), and 219,000 (0.14%), respectively.
There also exists a culture of relative sexual conservatism in the Philippines. There
are limited data available on sexual partner acquisition in the Philippines, and detailed
behavioral sentinel surveillance data are not widely released. The only reference to sexual
partner rates of which we are aware is from a previous Philippines National AIDS Council
Report, which indicates that most of the male population has only one sexual partner at
any time and relatively low partnership breakup rates. Although the validity of this
statement should be questioned until reliable data have been evaluated, this suggests
that sexual conservatism exists in the Philippines relative to neighboring countries.
The limited reporting from behavioral surveillance conducted several years ago
suggest that Filipinos tend to have fewer sexual partners than their counterparts in
countries with higher HIV/AIDS rates. For example, sex workers in the Philippines tend to
have fewer clients, an average of between two and four per week compared with ~15 in
many other settings. Although this does not indicate levels of sexual activity in the general
population, it indicates less sexual mixing outside regular partnerships.
However, fewer sexual partners is not necessarily a clear indicator of a more minor
epidemic, as reflected in China's expanding HIV epidemic, despite reported sexual partner
acquisition rates being similarly low. One could expect different sexual behavior across
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different social strata. Thus an HIV epidemic sustained at low levels may not necessarily
be a reflection of low average rates of partner change across a population.
There has also been the establishment of social hygiene clinics to allow for regular
examination and sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment for establishment-based
female sex workers. The prevalence of ulcerating STIs, believed to facilitate HIV
transmission, is relatively common. There is also a low occurrence of penile-anal sex in
the Philippines, and a high rate of circumcision, ~93% [9,26], which is known to reduce
the risk of males acquiring HIV in heterosexual intercourse.
Some countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, have shown
that a delayed HIV epidemic is possible. While HIV prevalence has remained "low and
slow," many conditions for a large, increasing and generalized HIV epidemic is in place in
the Philippines. These include: a low rate of condom use; unsafe injecting practices
among IDUs; significant migration rates; increasing trends in extramarital and premarital
sex; a lack of education and common misconceptions about HIV/AIDS; and cultural
factors that inhibit public discussion of issues of a sexual nature.
The Philippines has the lowest documented rates of condom use in Asia, at 2030%
among groups the highest risk of HIV (including sex workers). This is concerning since
most of HIV transmission in the Philippines is through sexual contact. A survey published
in 2016 found that 63% of male respondents said they had never used a condom. Condom
use among any extramarital partners is also rare. Various factors may contribute to low
condom use in the Philippines. A common perception is that condoms are only for birth
control and not for protection against HIV and other STIs. This perception is reinforced by
the view that condoms are discouraged by the Roman Catholic Church. Government
family planning programs have policies against supplying condoms to unmarried people.
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Social Factors
Even though awareness of the disease is high, misconceptions of HIV/AIDS are

widespread among health workers, as well as in the general population. For example, a
survey of 1200 males found that many respondents believed that antibiotics, prayer and
keeping fit would protect against HIV/AIDS. Many young people also believe that
HIV/AIDS can be prevented or treated by a concoction of drinks, douching with
detergents, interrupting coitus and washing the penis. The Young Adult Fertility Survey
found that a large proportion (60%) of young people believed that there was now a cure
for HIV/AIDS, andbas such, they could become more complacent.
Women in the Philippines are not broadly empowered to protect themselves and negotiate
for safe sex due to cultural, physiologica,l and socio-economic factors. An estimated 43%
of women have admitted to being forced into sex, and 15% believed that they were
obligated to have sex with their partners.
Condom use is also low among the population of men who have sex with men
(MSM). Unprotected penile-anal sex is a highly efficient mode of HIV transmission.
Discrimination, harassment, and intolerance of homosexuality, particularly male
homosexuality, have resulted in MSM becoming a "hidden" population group, even though
20% of reported HIV cases involve male-to-male transmission. With high tolerance it is
challenging to provide MSM with HIV/AIDS information, education, and treatment.
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Policy Recommendation
A. Maximize the social media platforms in disserting HIV awareness advocacy.
The widespread use of social media represents an essential avenue for communication
about HIV. Further, as the globalization of HIV and its presence in more geographically
distant and underserved communities increases, social media provides an opportunity to
extend the reach of HIV prevention and treatment efforts.
With the internet’s broad reach,the government and other sectors concerned should
maximize the use of this platform to increase HIV awareness and prevention, and
encourage the public to avail of free government services. An internet-based intervention
would greatly complement other existing government programs, particularly in sharing
vital HIV information and knowledge to the youth who are highly active on social media
and online dating sites and applications.
B. Strict implementation and monitoring of RA 8504
The State shall promote public awareness about the causes, modes of
transmission, consequences,and means of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS through a
comprehensive nationwide educational, and information movements organized and
conducted by the State. Such campaigns shall promote value formation and employ
scientifically proven approaches, focus on the family as a basic social unit, and be carried
out in all schools and training centers, workplaces, and communities. This program shall
involve affected individuals and groups, including people living with HIV/AIDS.
Given all the tasks needed there must be done, it is imperative that there is
substantial and sustained political will at the national and sub-national levels, and
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adequate domestic investments of HIV to ensure effective implementation. Boosting

domestic funding for HIV can be done by strengthening of government capacity to
mobilize additional financial resources–not only through national funds, but also through
resource augmentation from sub-national entities and non-governmental organizations. A
law, no matter how well-crafted it may be, is only as good as its implementation. Both
versions of the bill seeking to amend RA No. 8504 do not only offer crucial policy
interventions meant to address the multifaceted issues on HIV prevention and treatment,
they also serve as an eye-opener that HIV is a significant health threat that should be
treated as a national emergency. The Philippinesis at a critical point in its fight against
HIV, where it still has the opportunity to take decisive actions to stem the HIV epidemic
before it gets out of hand.
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References
Farr AC, Wilson DP. An HIV epidemic is ready to emerge in the Philippines. Journal of
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1 Effects of Hiv Rate To The Economy

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1 Effects of Hiv Rate To The Economy

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Republic of the Philippines

BILIRAN PROVINCE STATE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

EFFECTS OF HIV RATE TO THE ECONOMY

A policy paper submitted to the BA Economics Department

School of Arts and Sciences

Biliran Province State University

Sergie Paul Cairo

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

HIV/AIDS is a severe challenge to economic development. Increasing mortality

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Introduction and Statement of the Problem

The Philippines is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, registering a gross

President Rodrigo Duterte has inherited a legacy of failed or counterproductive

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Review of the Policy Environment

HIV Epidemic trends in the Philippines ( January 1984 to March 2016 )

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Despite national laws mandating compulsory sex education, the Philippine

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Policies restricting access to condoms are a threat to public health. International

During the presidential election campaign, then-candidate Duterte spoke in favor

Philippine Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial announced on December 2 that the

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

B. The GDP Growth targeting the health sector

The Philippines is an archipelago in the South-East Asia Region with a population

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Total Health Expenditures

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Reported HIV Rate (2007- 2016)

Mode of Transmission (2007-2016)

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Deaths among people with HIV

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

HIV investment from external sources has significantly declined by 38 percent in

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Time is of the essence. Government, in partnership with all sectors concerned,

We evaluated the current epidemiology, trends in behavior, and public health

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Southeast Asia is experiencing numerous and diverse HIV epidemics evolving at

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Even though awareness of the disease is high, misconceptions of HIV/AIDS are

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

A. Maximize the social media platforms in disserting HIV awareness advocacy.

B. Strict implementation and monitoring of RA 8504

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

adequate domestic investments of HIV to ensure effective implementation. Boosting

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

.Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS]. Global AIDS Response

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

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