BACOLOD CITY — The City of Bacolod will formulate a plan to prevent cases of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
This is provided in Executive Order No. 5 issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia convening the STI/HIV/AIDS Council for Bacolod to initiate preventive measures to combat these diseases.
“This is a step towards preventing the spread of these diseases in Bacolod. Of course, it comes with an effort on our part to disseminate the information,” the mayor said.
Leonardia cited the recent report of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital HIV-AIDS Core Team, showing that from 2007 to October 2017, Bacolod had a total of 304 HIV/AIDS, which is the second highest in Western Visayas.
In 2008, City Ordinance No. 468 created the Bacolod Local STI/HIV/Aids Council to help ensure efficient and effective delivery of the program and shall serve as the advisory monitoring board of the project.
Under Executive Order No. 5 dated January 25, 2018, Leonardia convenes the STI/HIV/AIDS Council as the over-all chairperson with the City Health Officer as the vice-chairperson.
The STI/HIV/AIDS Council will be the central advisory, planning and policy making body on the prevention and control of STI/HIV/AIDS.
It will formulate and recommend policies and strategies for the awareness, prevention and control of STI/HIV/AIDS within Bacolod; develop an annual prevention plan with corresponding budget; and identify and prepare remedies to problems in program implementation, program, coordination, gaps in policy guidelines and enhance local multi-sectoral response to STI/HIV/AIDS.
The body will also initiate and/conduct skills training, advocacy programs and develop strategies to benefit high-risk groups and the general public with the purpose of heightening awareness on STI/HIV/AIDS. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
