Central Visayas continues to grapple with a high HIV burden, ranking fourth nationwide for new infections logged from July to September, according to the latest HIV & AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines (HASP) report.
The region recorded 349 newly diagnosed cases in the third quarter of 2025.
Since the country began tracking HIV cases in 1984, Central Visayas has accumulated 11,695 confirmed infections—placing it firmly among the Philippines’ long-standing HIV hotspots.
Health authorities noted that the demographic profile of new cases in the region mirrors national patterns, with young adults remaining the most affected.
Individuals aged 25 to 34 years accounted for 42 percent of new infections, while those aged 15 to 24 made up 30 percent.
Sexual contact remains the primary mode of transmission in the region, consistent with trends observed across the country
Central Visayas, however, exhibited one concerning distinction: it accounted for 99 percent of all HIV cases in the Philippines linked to the sharing of contaminated needles.
This highlights ongoing challenges among people who inject drugs (PWID) and signals the need for intensified harm-reduction efforts.
In terms of treatment access, 10,723 individuals in the region have been enrolled in antiretroviral therapy (ART) to date.
Of these, 6,834 remain alive and actively undergoing treatment, while 3,243 patients have been reported as lost to follow-up.
Viral load testing coverage in the region remains below national levels, with only 51 percent, or 3,506 of those on ART, tested during the monitored period.
Despite the low testing coverage, treatment outcomes among those monitored remain strong, with 97 percent achieving viral suppression.
Still, Region 7 continues to fall short of reaching the global 95-95-95 HIV targets set by UNAIDS.
Current data show that only 57 percent of estimated PLHIV in the region are diagnosed, 54 percent of diagnosed individuals are receiving ART, and 52 percent of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads.
Across the Philippines, HIV cases continue to surge, with 5,583 new diagnoses recorded nationwide in the third quarter—a 22-percent increase from the same period last year.
The regions with the highest new infections were the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and the Davao Region
Nationwide, HIV-related deaths are also climbing, with 125 fatalities reported in the third quarter alone.
In Cebu, the provincial government marked World AIDS Day by emphasizing the importance of communication, awareness, and stigma-free access to services.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro urged families to foster open conversations with young people regarding sexual health and responsible behavior.
She pledged to scale up the province’s HIV response by broadening community-based education campaigns and expanding testing and treatment access.
Baricuatro said that strong collaboration between local governments, health agencies, and civil society groups is essential to curbing the spread of HIV.
“As your Governor, I promise that the Province of Cebu will continue strengthening our HIV programs—from awareness campaigns, to testing, to treatment, to youth-focused education in our barangays,” the governor said. (SBA)
