A NON-GOVERNMENT organization (NGO) based in Iloilo City has joined seven other NGOs in supporting Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Esperanza Cabral in her public awareness drive against the spread of Human Immuno Virus (HIV) and Acute Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (Aids).
The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) Iloilo Chapter through chapter manager Mona Diones said the campaign is very timely considering the current trend of HIV/Aids spread in the country.
“We could not take this sitting down when we can do something to help curtail the spread of this virus and help our fellowmen,” Diones said.
The newly installed Health secretary was criticized by some Roman Catholic Church clergies with her condom advocacy against HIV/Aids and when she distributed condoms last Valentines Day.
More than 300 leaders representing women’s communities, youth groups, people living with HIV and Aids, non-government and civil society organizations, assembled Monday at the entrance gate of DOH in San Lazaro, Manila in an activity dubbed as “Martsa ng Suporta para kay Cabral.”
The NGOs jointly lauded Cabral when she admitted that family planning remains one of the DOH’s thrusts. (Lydia C. Pendon)