Daily Tribune‘HIV remains hidden in plain sight, a silent epidemic sustained by our collective discomfort in talking about sex and abuse — silence upon silence.’
On World AIDS Day, communities around the world come together to show solidarity with people living with human immunodeficiency viruses, or HIV, and to remember the millions of lives lost to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS has set a goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Roots of Health, a nonprofit organization based in Palawan, is urging the public to stop blaming children for HIV infections and instead focus on addressing the structural issues that put them at risk. This call comes after the recent confirmation of a 13-year-old in the province being diagnosed with HIV.
Roots of Health (RoH), also known as “Ugat ng Kalusugan,” stated that the recent increase in HIV screenings, including last weekend’s events, has sparked online backlash that wrongly blames adolescents and ignores the underlying issues of abuse.
“People completely miss the fact that most sexual relationships involving minors are with adults — indeed, cases of statutory rape,” the group said. “The prevalent narratives shift blame onto young people instead of recognizing the systemic failures that have allowed teenagers to become victims of grooming, sexual harassment and violence.”
The organization emphasized that the rise in HIV cases among young Filipinos, particularly in Palawan, has been building over time. They attribute the ongoing epidemic to society’s discomfort with openly discussing sex and abuse, pointing to a lack of acknowledgment about the problem despite years of warnings.
“HIV remains hidden in plain sight, a silent epidemic sustained by our collective discomfort in talking about sex and abuse — silence upon silence,” RoH added.
Roots of Health outlined a multi-pronged approach to address HIV in the province, collaborating with government agencies and civil society groups. Since 2018, the organization has partnered with the Department of Education, the Sangguniang Kabataan, and local health offices to deliver comprehensive sexuality education to tens of thousands of young people in Palawan. These programs cover topics like consent, body autonomy, healthy relationships, and prevention of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
To ensure safer sex practices, RoH has installed over 200 condom dispensers in youth-accessible locations across Palawan, with the locations geotagged on Google Maps and promoted through QR codes. The organization ensures that access is anonymous and free of judgment, unlike other areas where youth may face barriers at health centers.
RoH also provides free, confidential HIV screenings through trained community-based screeners and at its Youth Clinic in Puerto Princesa. Starting in April 2025, the group plans to offer Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a key HIV prevention medication, free of charge.
In response to the growing number of HIV cases, Roots of Health is preparing to open a Department of Health-accredited treatment hub that will offer adolescent-friendly, stigma-free care.
“HIV is still incurable. Silence and stigma are deadly. We can’t let discomfort around sex and HIV stand in the way of truly caring for our children. This is our shared responsibility,” RoH stated.
Roots of Health is a reproductive health organization in Palawan that provides rights-based sexual and reproductive health education and services.
