KAPIHAN SA PIA. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation media officer Greggy Senados calls on local government units in Cebu to put up their own Local AIDS Council during the Kapihan sa PIA on Wednesday (July 18, 2018). (Photo by Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)
CEBU CITY -- The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday urged local government units (LGUs) in Cebu to establish their own Local AIDS Council (LAC) and help spread awareness of the disease in the province.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-Cebu media officer Greggy Senados said during the “Kapihan sa PIA” that a functional LAC is one of the keys in effective information dissemination about the alarming state of HIV cases in Cebu.
Out of 54 LGUs in Cebu province, Senados said only five cities -- Cebu, Danao, Naga, Toledo, and Carcar -- and two municipalities -- Minglanilla and Compostela -- have functional LACs, including the Cebu provincial government.
“We need to have more LACs to help spread awareness about HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) in Cebu province,” Senados said. “The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now reaching out to the remaining 47 LGUs to establish their Local AIDS Councils.”
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have conducted several projects in Cebu including providing technical assistance and trainings on the prevention, awareness, and information dissemination about HIV/AIDS. They also trained LGUs to help them establish their functional LACs.
“We are also conducting trainings for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials which we've piloted in Talisay City last June 2 this year," Senados said.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has also partnered with Bisdak Pride Cebu to spread HIV/AIDS awareness through theater arts.
The group has already performed and talked about HIV in Argao town and is set to bring the campaign to Santander, Moalboal, Balamban, Toledo, Danao, Consolacion, Bogo City, Bantayan Island, and Daanbantayan next month. (Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)
