By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution during their regular session this week urging the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) to intensify their campaign against the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

According to the legislation, authored by City Councilor Em Ang, “There is a need to disseminate information and intensify the campaign against HIV/AIDS to prevent [an] increase of cases in Bacolod City.”

The resolution cites the most recent data from the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT), which reported 304 HIV/AIDS cases in Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, HACT also reported a total 580 HIV-positive individuals throughout Negros Occidental.

The province boasts the second-highest number of cases in Region 6, behind Iloilo City, which recorded 700 HIV-related cases./PLL, WDJ