Bill strengthening HIV, Aids treatment okayed

MANILA -- The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to strengthen the country's comprehensive policy on HIV and Aids prevention, treatment and care.
 
House Bill 6751, to be known as The Revised Philippine HIV and Aids Policy and Program Act of 2012 once signed into law, also aims to protect the rights of those afflicted with HIV and Aids and improve their living conditions.
 
Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, one of the authors of the bill, noted that the measure would benefit 46,000 Filipinos projected to be affected by the said disease by 2015.
 
"The establishment of a National HIV and Aids Program will pave the way for the creation of a road map on HIV and Aids that has clear strategies, targets, operationalization framework and funding," Marcos said.
 
The bill likewise clarifies the roles and responsibilities of state institutions involved in the HIV and Aids response from government national agencies to the local level.
 
The measure also provides for stiffer penalties for violations of the law ranging from six months imprisonment to five years and/or a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)