Amendment to AIDS Prevention and Control Act moves closer to enactment

Advocates are hopeful that the Philippines will see a new law on comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support as the Senate of the Philippines approved on Third and Final Reading on May 21 the bill filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The House version of the bill was approved in December 2017, so a bicameral conference to harmonize differing provisions of House and Senate versions is expected to be convened soon.

First filed six years ago, the bill updates Republic Act 8054 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998 to respond to the current national situation. The country has registered the highest HIV infection growth rate in the Asia-Pacific region in the recent years. The bill has been part of the PLCPD legislative agenda since the 15th Congress.