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Country Profile

The first HIV case in the Philippines was detected in 1984. Since then, the estimated numbers of people living with HIV in the country had grown from 2,200 in 2001 to 8,300 in 2007 (or by 277%) with an estimated number of adult women of about 2200. Overall, the HIV situation in the Philippines has been categorized as “hidden and growing” although the HIV prevalence remains under 0.1 per cent.

According to the Department of Health, 3,061 HIV cases had been reported from 1984 to December 2007, of which 2,279 were asymptomatic and the remaining 782 were AIDS cases. Forty-percent (307) of the AIDS cases were already dead as of time of reporting. By May 2009, the number of reported HIV positive cases rose to 3,911, of which 3,099 (79%) were asymptomatic and 812 (or 21%) were AIDS cases. Unprotected sexual intercourse was the leading mode of transmission (90%). All other known modes of transmission, however, are already reported in the country including perinatal transmission, injecting drug use, blood transfusion and needle prick injuries.

Since 1984, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have comprised 32% of all reported HIV cases, and 19% in 2009. Of this number, 75% (927) were males, with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years (median 36 years). Sexual intercourse was the predominant (95%) mode of transmission amongst OFWs, of which, 79% (or 980) were asymptomatic while 21% (254) were AIDS cases.

HIV prevalence is still concentrated in high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), sex workers, clients of sex workers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and the partners of all these groups.

The overall HIV prevalence amongst most-at-risk populations was estimated at 0.08%. The highest prevalence was found in men who have sex with men (with 0.3%).

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in both vulnerable groups and the general population remain high. Prevalence of any form of STI amongst MSM in selected cities is about one third (32%). Gonorrhea was the leading cause of STI among male clients attending the Social Hygiene Clinics in 2006 (12% positivity for males and 1% positivity for females) while non-gonococcal infection (NGI) was highest amongst registered female sex workers at 8%. Ulcerative STIs remains to be low at less than 1% throughout the years. It is important to note that majority of these STI cases are found in persons 19-24 years of age.

In terms of spending by activity, prevention initiatives remain the highest followed by programme support costs, and treatment and care activities. Based on the Operational Plan of the AMTP-IV, the financial requirements for 2007 and 2008 is about Php849 million (US$20,214,286). Given the average total spending of about Php311 million (US$7,407,407) per year, there is a funding gap of about Php227 million (US$5,404,762) or Php113.5 million (US$2,702,381) per year.