JEWELL F.

PASCUAL BSN 1-7 ETHICS

A Study Regarding The Relationship Of The New HIV-AIDS Bill Signed By President Rodrigo Duterte
And The Number of HIV Testing Clients in Ermita Manila as of 2019

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 To determine the significant increase or decrease in the number of HIV-AIDS

test clients in Ermita, Manila as of 2019

 To determine the reason clients are getting tested in Ermita,Manila

 To determine an interrelation regarding the establishmentof the new HIV-AIDS

law and the reason clients are getting tested

 To determine the functionality of the new HIV-AIDS law in propagating Filipino

youth healthcare by getting tested for HIV or AIDS

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

According to statistics given by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as of November

2018, there is a total of 61, 152 cases of HIV since the very first infection in 1984. Along with this, a total
of 954 Filipinos have been diagnosed with HIV as of the year 2018. In lieu of the RITM’s head of the
AIDS Research Group, Dr. Rossana Ditangco’s 2017 announcement of HIV as an epidemic that is worthy
of national emergency, the Philippine government has responded with a bill that will give justice to HIV
patients all over the country.

On July 23, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 11166 or the Philippine
HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018, which shall update and repeal the Philippine AIDS Prevention and
Control Act of 1998.

In Section 23 of the said Republic Act, it dictates regarding additional treatment of persons living
with HIV and AIDS. The DOH shall establish a program that will provide free and accessible ART and
medication for opportunistic infections to all PLHIVs who are enrolled in the program. The new law also
imposes a higher penalty for those who discriminate against HIV or AIDS patients and any form of
information disclosure without the informed consent of the HIV patient. Penalties range from 1 to 12
years of imprisonment and between P50,000 to P5 million in fines. The new law streamlines the
Philippine National AIDS Council into only a fewer number of agencies in order to have a more focused
and congruent mission and vision for the council.

The biggest change in the new law compared to the 1998 Republic act is in Section 29. HIV
Testing, if the person is 15 or below 18 years of age, consent to voluntary HIV testing shall be obtained
from the child without the need of consent from a parent or guardian.

SOURCES:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/08/01/philippines-hiv-epidemic-declared-national-emergency
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/09/19/duterte-signs-hiv-aids-law
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2018/12dec/20181220-RA-11166-RRD.pdf