Baguio City to conduct AIDS Candlelight Memorial at Burnham Lake

Baguio City, Philippines – From 2020 to 2022, Baguio City’s record on human immunodeficiency virus showed an increasing trend.

Data revealed that in 2020, there were 14 people living with the virus; it became 31 in 2021, 56 in 2022, and from January to August last year, 34 were found to be positive for the virus.

Sadly, there were also those who succumbed to the syndrome. In Cordillera, seven individuals lost their lives from January to August 2023.

The Candlelight Memorial, an event done annually to commemorate these people who lost their lives to the virus and serve as a campaign to raise social awareness about HIV and aids will be conducted this May 10.

This activity is just one of the many planned activities by the Baguio City AIDS Watch Council that will be held at the famed Burnham Lake.

It is expected then that on said date, lights would be seen floating on the lake, illuminating hope to those who are affected by the virus, along with the stigma marked on them.

Aside from the activity, the council shall also hold a press conference on May 10 and free HIV screening on May 12 at the Session Road.

On the part of the Department of Health in the Cordillera (DOH-CAR), they are currently implementing various prevention strategies. One of their banner programs is the NAMNAMA project.

This stands for Nurturing Awareness, Mobilizing Networks, and Advocating to Mitigate the impact of AIDS in the Cordillera.

For individuals who have queries or concerns regarding HIV and AIDS, STI-HIV NAMNAMA can be contacted through these hotlines – 0962-990-3804 and 0966-081-7713.