AMID calls for the declaration of a public health emergency due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) on Friday, June 6, 2025, bared plans to include it in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In a statement, Owwa bared ongoing discussions on the inclusion of HIV as a subject matter in the mandatory PDOS.
"We intend to have a program that will address the need of OFWs amid the surge in HIV cases in the country," said Owwa.
"One proposal is to include HIV as a subject matter during PDOS as well as in other OFW educational initiatives of Owwa," it added.
Another proposal is for the provision of antiretroviral treatment for OFWs with HIV.
"We are looking to provide free HIV medicines for OFWs with HIV as part of the expanded medical assistance," said Owwa.
The proposal comes days after the Department of Health (DOH) pushed for the declaration of a public health emergency due to HIV.
DOH data shows that a total of 10,819 HIV cases have been recorded involving OFWs from January 1984 to March 2025. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)