Capiz health officials are raising the red flag after the province logged 934 HIV cases as of June 2025—figures that reveal a troubling shift: infections are rising fastest among the youth.
Speaking at the PIA Kapihan on December 4, Provincial Health Office (PHO) Health Program Officer Carlo Paolo Bermejo said the bulk of cases still comes from the 25–34 age bracket, but the data now points to a surge among much younger Capizeños.
“The cases are getting younger,” Bermejo warned. “We’re seeing a rapid increase in infections among those aged 15 to 24. Amo gid ni ang age group nga makalilisang ang pagtaas—pabata nga pabata ang cases naton sa HIV.”
Bermejo stressed that HIV knows no boundaries—no age, gender, or status. Anyone exposed to the virus can be infected. He added that some early cases stem from mother-to-child transmission, while the broader prevention formula still hinges on the ABCDE approach: Abstinence, Being faithful, Correct condom use, Don’t abuse drugs, and Early detection and treatment.
Health officials urged the public—especially teenagers and young adults—to take the numbers seriously. Early testing, they said, can save lives, protect partners, and curb further transmission.
With infections rising among younger Capizeños, the PHO vowed to intensify awareness campaigns, widen access to testing and treatment, and push for stronger community engagement.
“The data is speaking loudly,” Bermejo said. “Now it’s our turn to act.”
