September 19, 2023 – Action for Health Initiatives (ACHIEVE), Inc. alongside the City Health Office, Department of Social Services Development (DSSD), members of the Local AIDS Council, and representatives from various sectors held its first consultation on the Bacolod Local AIDS Ordinance at the Ricardo Hall 3 and 4, L’fisher Hotel.

Bacolod City being one of the sites for the ACHIEVE-SKPA2 Project by ACHIEVE Inc. was granted an elaborate HIV investment planning and technical assistance that served to the improvement of the local AIDS ordinance. Due to the rise of HIV cases in the city, with 860 diagnosed cases in December 2022, that significantly rose to 904 diagnosed cases as of May 2023, there has been a sense of urgency to cater to the deeply rooted issues of HIV and localizing the methods being applied.

This consultation valued the input of the community through its representatives as it acknowledged the complex nature of HIV. The socio-cultural implication of the disease has greatly contributed to the surge of the epidemic. RA11166 served as the bedrock of approaching the new ordinance with certain provisions emphasized on eliminating the climate of stigma, adopting a multisectoral approach, and creating more safe spaces for the PLHIV and this will soon be incorporated to the local AIDS ordinance.
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)