The Diocese of Dumaguete, in partnership with Catholic institutions, is preparing for the launching of the Philippine Catholic HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Network in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental in December.

The creation of the local chapter of PHILCHAN is in response to a call for a network to cater to persons living with HIV/AIDS, Fr. Burton Villarmente, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Dumaguete, said.

He said Catholics are being emphasized in the network as majority of the PHILCHAN members are Catholic institutions.

There is also now a separate commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines that is tasked to address the problems, issues and concerns of HIV/AIDS, Villarmente said.

This is the CBCP’s Commission on Health, headed by Fr. Dan Cansino, who is also a medical doctor. Cansino has lectured on HIV/AIDS in separate for a in Dumaguete for diocesan representatives, and members of the diocesan clergy in June and September.

Participants recommended that PHILCHAN be launched in Dumaguete at the diocesan level. There are similar networks in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Burton said.

On December, PHILCHAN-Dumaguete will celebrate World AIDS Day and on December 7, activities are set for the launch, in line with the observance of the National AIDS Sunday.

Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes will preside over a mass for its intention, 8 a.m. at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, and a program will follow at the Quezon Park as part of the simultaneous nationwide celebration, Villarmente said.

Sr. Mila Silab, dean of the College of Nursing of St. Paul University-Dumaguete, and Fr. Matias Rendon of the Social Action Center will represent the Diocese of Dumaguete in the Cebu gathering.

Villarmente also said they are hope to invite one or two persons living with HIV/AIDS in Dumaguete to give their testimonies during the December 7 commemoration.

He said 10 persons afflicted with the virus have already surfaced and, he had embraced them and spoken to them, he added.

Majority of them are youths, an overseas Filipino worker, and commercial sex workers. He said PHILCHAN does not only provide information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS but also assists those afflicted with the disease.

He said PHILCHAN is encouraging those with risky sexual behaviors, such as having multiple partners, to go for testing and it is hoped that a hospital in Dumaguete will agree to the establishment of an HIV/AIDS treatment hub as the closest treatment hubs are in Bacolod and Cebu now.

For those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the Dumaguete City Health Office provides free testing, and medication can be made available if they apply for the Global Fund, Villarmente added.*JFP

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