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𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐀++ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝟑:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌

𝐆𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐳, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐭, 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧, 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐚

In observance of 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐈𝐕 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡, the Municipal 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 (𝐋𝐀𝐂) lead by our Municipal Mayor Roynald S. Soriano, represented by the HIV Program Manager, actively participated in the Late Pride Month Celebration organized by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in partnership with the LGBTQUIA++ Community of Casiguran, Aurora. The activity, attended by 84 participants, aimed to promote gender equality, safe spaces, HIV awareness, and access to essential health services for the LGBTQIA++ community.

As part of the program, the Local AIDS Council facilitated the session entitled “LGBTQIA+ Knowledge Check: Testing Understanding and Correcting Misconceptions.” The session was designed to reinforce participants’ existing knowledge on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health through an interactive and evidence-based learning approach.

Prior to the formal HIV awareness discussion, a LGBTQIA+ Priority Health Needs Consultation was conducted to identify the priority health concerns of the organization, assess the participants’ level of awareness regarding available local health services, and orient them on the various programs and services provided by the Municipal Health Office. The consultation also served as an initial step in facilitating the PhilHealth membership registration of organization members to improve their access to healthcare services.

Unlike the previous year’s lecture-based approach, this year’s session utilized a digital pre-test strategy to increase participant engagement. Participants were provided with internet access through a Wi-Fi connection and instructed to scan a QR code leading to an online 20-item HIV Awareness Knowledge Check. After completing the assessment, each question was discussed thoroughly, with the correct answers explained to address misconceptions and strengthen participants’ understanding of HIV transmission, prevention, testing, treatment, and stigma reduction.

To emphasize the importance of the discussion, the session opened with a presentation of both the national and local HIV epidemiological situation, highlighting that HIV and other sexually transmitted infections remain an existing public health concern, including among residents of Casiguran. This contextualized the significance of HIV prevention, early testing, and community support.

To encourage active participation, incentives were awarded to the highest-performing participants:

Top Scorer (19/20):

Deniel M. Moral

Second Place (18/20):

Ronald Molina

Princess Joanna De Leon

Mary Joy Datario

Before and after the educational session, the Local AIDS Council provided comprehensive HIV prevention services through the distribution of 417 pieces of condoms (3 boxes containing 139 pieces each), 300 sachets of personal lubricants, and various Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials. In addition, free STI screening services consisting of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) testing were conducted. A total of 17 participants voluntarily availed of the screening services, initiated through the encouragement and leadership of the organization’s President- AKA ” Ketchu” and Vice President AKA “Balong”.

The activity successfully combined health education, consultation, preventive services, and community engagement, strengthening the partnership between the Local AIDS Council stakeholders such as the Municipal Health Office, MSWDO, and the LGBTQIA++ Community of Casiguran. It likewise reinforced the municipality’s commitment to creating an inclusive, stigma-free environment while promoting early detection, prevention, and equitable access to quality health services for all.