House OKs bill on HIV/AIDS policy
Philippine health officials pose with a red ribbon, the symbol of support and awareness for those living with HIV, on their thumbs to mark World Aids Day on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. AP/Aaron Favila
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the bill seeking to strengthen the fight against human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome in the country.
Voting 188-0, members of the House unanimously approved House Bill 6617 or the "Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act."
The proposed measure seeks to deliver treatment, care and support services to persons living with HIV in accordance with approaches upholding principles of human rights, gender-responsiveness and age-appropriateness.
It also seeks to adopt a multi-sectoral approach in responding to the HIV epidemic.
One of the key provisions of the bill is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of state institutions involved in the HIV and AIDS response from government national agencies to the local level.
With the proposed measure, the Philippine National AIDS Council would be the central policy-making, planning, coordinating and advisory body of the Philippine National HIV and AIDS Program.
The council will be an independent agency under the Department of Health. The bill was approved by the House committee on health in August.
Among the authors of the measures consolidated into the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act were Harry Roque Jr. (Kabayan party-list), Pia Cayetano (Taguig), Estrellita Suansing (Nueva Ecija), Gus Tambunting (Parañaque), Sandra Eriguel (La Union), Tom Villarin (Akbayan party-list) and Teodoro Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao).
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