NYC allocates P5 million for HIV awareness campaign

MANILA, Philippines — The National Youth Commission (NYC) has allocated P5 million to boost youth-led initiatives on the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV awareness and stigma reduction campaign.

NYC chairman Joseph Francisco Ortega said the amount highlights the agency’s active role in national HIV policy discussions and community-based interventions focused on the youth sector.

Ortega said the NYC is engaging with the Department of Health and other stakeholders to ensure that youth perspectives are embedded in prevention, education and response strategies against HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS.

To further combat HIV-related stigma, Ortega said the NYC is collaborating with an AIDS organization to launch a nationwide anti-stigma campaign.

The NYC is an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government that addresses issues surrounding the Filipino youth. The DILG recognized the NYC’s initiatives as being aligned with the government’s priorities on public health, inclusion and youth empowerment.