Ligao City holds SOGIE, STI, HIV-AIDS awareness workshop

Bb. Ruffa Torregaza of GAYOn talked about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification and Expression during the workshop.

The City Government of Ligao, in partnership with GAYOn and GentleMen, conducted an awareness and control seminar workshop on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification and Expressions (SOGIE), Sexually Transmitted Illness (STI), and Human Immunodeficiency virus-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) on 15 August 2015 at the 2nd floor of Jesse Robredo Building, Tuburan Ligao City.

Local representatives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) group were the target audience of the workshop due to the increasing number of HIV-AIDS cases in the Philippines which are common to Men Having Sex With Men (MSM).

As of February 2015, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded a total of 646 cases of HIV in the country. Of the 646 recorded cases, 96% consist of male with 586 (91%) cases of unprotected sex. The rate of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the Philippines increased from 17 cases per day in 2014 to 20 cases per day in 2015.

Committee on Health Chairman Herbert Borja of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Albay said that the increasing number of HIV cases calls for an immediate action to prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted infections. He also challenged the group to create a district-wide organization that will represent the LGBTs of 3rd District of Albay. GentleMen Coordinator Jurlan N. Buello likewise aims to gather more members of the LGBT in 3rd District to extend the information dissemination.

The workshop also aimed to elicit the opinion of the group and their beliefs and understanding regarding gender issues. Bb. Ruffa Torregoza of GAYOn discussed SOGIE 101: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification and Expressions, and HIV Awareness and Protection. Mr. Richard Hayag of the GentleMen explained the STI and HIV/AIDS epidemic in Albay while Mr. Toots Rivac of GAYOn orients the participants on RA 8504 or the Philippine AIDS Law.
Written by Lala Peñafiel