Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act

Section 11

There shall be an HIV and AIDS prevention program that will educate the public on HIV and AIDS and other STIs with the goal of reducing risky behavior, lowering vulnerabilities, and promoting the human rights of PLHIV. The PNAC shall promote and adopt a range of measures and interventions, in partnership with CSOs that aim to prevent, halt, or control the spread of HIV in the general population, especially among the key populations and vulnerable communities. These measures shall likewise promote the rights, welfare, and participation of PLHIV and the affected children, young people, families, and partners of PLHIV. The HIV and AIDS education and prevention programs shall be age-appropriate and based on up0to-date evidence and scientific strategies, and shall actively promote: (a) Safer sec practices among the general population, including sexual abstinence, sexual fidelity, and consistent and correct condom use especially among key populations; (b) Other practices that reduce risk of HIV infection; (c) Universal awareness of and access to evidence-based and relevant information and education, and medically safe, legally affordable, effective, and quality treatment; and (d) Knowledge of the health, civil, political, economic, and social rights of PLHIV and their families.

Section 12

Using standardized information and data from the PNAC, the DepEd, CHED, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), shall integrate basic and age-appropriate instruction on the causes, modes of transmission, and ways of preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS and other STIs in their respective curricula taught in public and private learning institutions, including alternative and indigenous learning systems. The learning modules shall include human rights-based principles and information on treatment, care, and support to promote stigma reduction. The learning modules that shall be developed to implement this provision shall be done in coordination with the PNAC and stakeholders in the education sector. Referral mechanisms, including but not limited to, the DSWD Referral System, shall be included in the modules for key populations and vulnerable communities. The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall ensure the development and provision of psychosocial support and counseling in learning institutions, for the development of positive health, and promotion of values and behavior pertaining to reproductive health, in coordination with the DOH. For this purpose, funds shall be allocated for the training and certification of teachers and school counselors.

Section 13

The DepEd in coordination with parent-teacher organizations in schools and communities shall conduct awareness-building seminars in order to provide parents and guardians with a gender-responsive and age-sensitive HIV and AIDS education.

Section 14

HIV and AIDS education and information dissemination shall form part of the constitutional right to health.

Section 15

HIV and AIDS education and information dissemination shall form part of the delivery of health services by health practitioners, workers, and personnel. The knowledge and capabilities of all public health workers shall be enhanced to include skills for proper information dissemination and education on HIV and AIDS. It shall likewise be considered a civic duty of health care providers in the private sector to make available to the public such information necessary to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS, and to correct common misconceptions about this disease. The training of health workers shall include discussions on HIV-related ethical issues such as confidentiality, informed consent, and the duty to provide treatment.

Section 16

All public and private employers and employees, including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), shall be regularly provided with standardized basic information and instruction of HIV and AIDS, including topics on confidentiality in the workplace and reduction or elimination of stigma and discrimination. The PNAC shall develop the standardized and key messages on the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS based on current and updated information on the disease. The DOLE for the private sector, the SCS for the public sector, and the AFP and PNP for the uniformed service shall implement this provision: Provided, That the standardized basic information and instruction shall be conducted by DOLE for the private sector at no cost to the employers and employees.

Section 17

The State shall ensure that all overseas Filipino workers and diplomatic, military, trade, and labor officials and personnel to be assigned overseas shall attend a seminar on the causes, manner of prevention, and impact of HIV and AIDS, before being granted a certification for overseas assignment: Provided, That Filipino workers or to the officials concerned. The DOLE, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO), and other relevant government agencies in collaboration with the DOH, shall ensure the implementation of this section.

Section 18

Educational materials on the causes, modes of transmission, prevention, and consequences of HIV infection and list of HIV counseling testing facilities shall be adequately provided at all international and local ports of entry and exit. The PIA, together with other relevant government agencies, in coordination with the PNAC and stakeholders in the tourism industry, shall lead the implementation of this section.

Section 19

The DILG, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the League of Provinces, the League of Cities, and the League of Municipalities, through the local HIV and AIDS Councils (LAC) or the local health boards and, in coordination with the PNAC, shall implement a locally-based, multi-sectoral community response to HIV and AIDS through various channels on evidence-based, gender-responsive, age-appropriate, and human rights-oriented prevention tools to stop the spread of HIV. Gender and Development (GAD) funds and other sources may be utilized for these purposes. Indigenous peoples communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) shall also be given due focus in the implementation of this section. The DILG, in coordination with the DSWD and the NYC, shall also conduct age-appropriate HIV and AIDS education for out-of-school youth.

Section 20

To ensure that HIV services reach key populations at higher risk, the PNAC, in collaboration with the LGUs and CSOs engaged in HIV and AIDS education programs, such as peer education, support groups, outreach activities, and community-based research that target these populations and other vulnerable communities. The DOH shall, in coordination with appropriate agencies and the PNAC, craft the guidelines, and standardized information messages for peer education, support group, and outreach activities.

Section 21

Appropriate information shall be attached to, or provided with every prophylactic offered for sale or given as donation. Such information shall be legibly printed in English and Filipino, and contain literature on the proper use of the prophylactic device or agent, and its efficacy against HIV and STI.

Section 22

Misinformation on HIV and AIDS, which includes false and misleading advertising and claims in any form of media. Including traditional media, internet and social platform, and mobile applications, of the promotional marketing of drugs, devices, agents or procedures without prior approval from the DOH through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and without the requisite medical and scientific basis, including markings and indications in drugs and devices or agents, claiming to be a cure or a fail-safe prophylactic for HIV infection shall be prohibited.