Teachers told: Be there for students amid HIV issue

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale is reminding teachers on their crucial role in guiding students on the discussion of HIV and AIDS.

The reminder was made amid the announcement of the Department of Health that it will be giving out condoms in schools as part of the campaign against HIV AIDS.

In her speech during Teacher's Night in Tudela town, Camotes Island last Tuesday, Magpale urged the teachers to continue to be the guiding light of the younger generation.        

She said these are difficult times for a lot of people whose moral values are threatened with DOH's recent decision.

Magpale has earlier expressed opposition to DOH's plan to give out condoms in schools and said she will appeal to DOH to defer the distribution. 

While she believes that sex education should start early, Magpale explained that sex education does not mean the youngsters should be armed with contraceptives and condoms.

"The children could be taught sex education even in their early age, but not be given condoms," Magpale earlier stated.

She stressed that values should be considered first, among others.

DOH will start giving out condoms to schools nationwide by next year.

The plan received criticism from different groups, including the Catholic Church.

But DOH explained that the campaign in schools is needed considering the increasing trend of HIV cases in the past years, particularly among the younger generation. 

Based on DOH's report, a total of 38,114 HIV cases were recorded by the DOH from 1984 to October, 2016. The record also shows that 10,279 of the HIV victims are within the 15 to 24-year-old age bracket.  (FREEMAN)