2021 National Human Rights Situation Report
31
based, integrated approaches. The case provides robust evidence that increased investments
in mental health not only advance the right to health but also make economic sense.116
People Living with HIV
135
Based on the Report submitted by the DOH Region I, there had been an increase in their
screening and testing activities resulting in an increased number of newly diagnosed HIV
cases. This contributed to a negative accomplishment, however not reflective of program
efforts to reduce incidence.117
136
Monitoring of the different health centers in Zamboanga yielded information that there
is an increase in the number of teenage pregnancies and children afflicted with HIV. This
situation also showed that the causes for this increase in the number of teenage pregnancies
are even more alarming, to wit, high number of incestuous rape and sexual abuse cases,
lack of sex and health education and high rate of experimentation among peers which may
be brought about by unmonitored or unguarded exposure to social media. 118
137
The delivery of programs and services of DOH-CHD-CAR for HIV/AIDS for the second
semester was greatly affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Acknowledging the
needs of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV), the agency adjusted to deliver their services to
the PLHIV community despite many limitations. Most of the programs were implemented
on different platforms of social media. There were 35 HIV/AIDS Cases in the region;
Baguio City has the highest number while Apayao has the least. 119
138
The number of newly-discovered HIV/AIDS cases in CARAGA has decreased this year.
Based on the current data, only 38 are affected across the region compared to the increasing
number of cases last year. While HIV has no effective cure, it can be controlled with proper
care and treatment, i.e., antiretroviral therapy (ART). Most of the encounters are aged 15
116
Grafton, D., Vicedo, K, & Rashid, M. (2021). The economic case for investing in mental health. Retrieved from https://
www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/blog/2021/the-economic-case-for-investing-in-mental-health.html
117
(2021). Regional HR Situation Report July to December 2020. San Fernando City: CHR Regional Office I.
118
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office 9. (2021, January). 2020 CHR 9 Human Rights Situation Report.
119
Commission on Human Rights Cordillera Administrative Region. (2021, January). Regional Human Rights Situation
Report July to December 2020.