Exhibit promotes HIV awareness

By: Leonard T. Pineda I

A photo exhibit here was launched recently to help elevate awareness and prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

In line with the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2019, the exhibit dubbed as “Faces of Hope and Love” at SM City Iloilo, is spearheaded by the Philippine Catholic HIV and AIDS Network (PhilCHAN)-Iloilo.

Sr. Mila Grace Silab, PhilCHAN-Iloilo chair and president of St. Paul University Iloilo, said that this year’s theme “Communities make the difference” is very appropriate to call all people of goodwill to help create an HIV-free Philippines and an HIV-free Iloilo.

“Through this photo exhibit, we believe that we could share the message that we have to do our share to help eliminate stigma, facilitate sexual behavior change, support our brothers and sisters with HIV and AIDS, and cooperate with HIV-related prevention services,” Silab said.

Silab said that it is important to raise awareness on the increasing incidence of HIV and AIDS in the country and in this city not to create fear, but to help prevent the spread of the infection.

“It is indeed very alarming that from one case of HIV in 1984, now in 2019, there are 35 new cases everyday. In Region 6, we have one new case every 13 hours,” she said.

She said this issue is not just the concern of government agencies such as Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment,  or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“But rather we are all involved in this because we all belong to this community,” she added.

Meanwhile the photo exhibit which features works from members of the Photographic Society of Iloilo, will run until December 8. (PIA-Iloilo)