National Youth Commission lauds relaxed parental consent rules

With President Rodrigo Duterte recently signing the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, which strengthens national government policy on preventing the further spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) throughout the country, the National Youth Commission responded with a post on social media praising the law.

Aside from commending plans to implement “an education program for HIV and AIDS prevention,” they also noted, “[The law] provides permission for young people who are 15 years of age to undergo HIV testing unaccompanied by parents.”

Last year, representatives from the Department of Health-Region VI (DOH-6) introduced the “LHIVE FREE” campaign, which intends to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

“There is a need to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination,” said DOH-6 Sexually Transmitted Infections nurse coordinator Caroline Tumabotabo.

She said the campaign will disseminate information about HIV/AIDS, along with producing educational materials for schools and other local institutions.

According to a report by GMA News, between January and September 2018, there were a total of 8,533 HIV-AIDS cases across the country./WDJ