ALARM bells have been sounded in Pangasinan as the province registered the most number of cases of human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) within Region 1.

Dt. Jocelyn Tongson, coordinator for STI/HIV-AIDS of the social hygiene clinic in Dagupan City, said 63 out of the 139 reported cases in Region I were in Pangasinan.

Tongson, speaking at the World AIDS Day observance, said both Dagupan City and the province should intensify the campaign against the virus.

She pointed out that so far only the cities of Dagupan and Urdaneta have existing HIV/AIDS Councils formed in year 2003, and called on the provincial government to being organizing in various towns.

The social hygiene clinic regularly provides lectures and seminars for students in schools as part of the information, education and communication campaign.

Tongson said she hopes that special modules on AIDS prevention and control will be introduced in secondary schools soon.

She noted that most victims are not even aware that they have HIV.

“Sad news for them is the fact that there is no cure or vaccine to stop HIV/AIDS. The good news, however, is there are ways to prevent and control the infection,” she said.

A free HIV testing and screening test for syphilis and hepatitis B was conducted as part of the World AIDS Day celebration.

According to UNAIDS estimates, about 33.4 million people all over the world are living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. In 2008, some 2.5 million people were infected with the virus.

AIDS was declared an epidemic in the Philippines by the Department of Health with 4-5 new cases reported every day.

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