3 lawmakers undergo HIV tests

MANILA, Philippines - Three lawmakers underwent testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as part of an effort to raise awareness on the HIV/AIDS scourge and reduce the stigma against those afflicted with the deadly disease.

Reps. Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao), Ibarra Gutierrez (Akbayan party-list), and Lani Mercado-Revilla (Cavite) received results stating they were “non-reactive” or negative for HIV after an hour’s testing inside a mobile van deployed by the Quezon City government to the premises of the Batasang Pambansa complex.

The van will be in the premises until tomorrow and lawmakers, employees and the public can take the test for free as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

The three lawmakers are authors of separate bills calling for amendments to the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998. HIV causes AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

“We want to help remove the stigma on the disease, and taking the HIV test is a step towards this,” Gutierrez told reporters.

Individuals who want to be tested would have their blood samples taken and are required to undergo private counseling, the results of which are kept confidential.

 â€œYou have to tell the truth, of course, when answering. The questions are personal, relating to your sexual activity, etc. but these are necessary,” Baguilat said.

Mercado-Revilla expressed hopes that the bill, which passed on third and final reading in the 15th Congress, would be enacted into law this Congress.

She said it was important for the government to strengthen its program to prevent AIDS especially because by 2014, the United Nations assistance to the program would already end.