The Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) and the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health (NEC-DOH) jointly organized the IHBSS (Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serological Survey) and UNGASS 2008 National Dissemination Forum last May 23, 2008 at Pearl Manila Hotel, Taft Ave., Manila.

Noemi D. Bayoneta-Leis, UNGASS 2008 Project Coordinator from Health Action Information Network (HAIN), presented the process, opportunities and challenges in the development of the Country report. She also highlighted key findings in the UNGASS Report. As compared to UNGASS 2006 which required 9 indicators, the recent Country report required 25 indicators depending on the applicability in the country, in which, the last indicator was modeled in Geneva. Although, the Philippines constantly remain a low prevalence country, it has reported 24 indicators and was able to utilize Country Response Information System (CRIS) for reporting.

Dr. Jessie Fantone, M&E Officer and the OIC of PNAC Secretariat discussed the “Good Practice” section of the report. This section highlighted practical and effective response to AIDS. Dr. Fantone also presented the comparative regional AIDS situation among Southeast Asian countries.

While Dr. Eric Tayag of NEC-DOH presented the results from the IHBSS 2007 and evaluation of the methodology with assistance from Dr. Nimfa Ogena, a demographer from the University of the Philippines Population Institute. The Forum also served as a venue for the soft launch of the “Annual AIDS Registry Report” which was also presented by Dr. Genesis Samonte of NEC. Dr. Tayag explained while the monthly registry presents statistical data on AIDS, this does not presents however an analysis to the situation and does not create an impact because of the “small” figures. The annual report will substantiate more than the statistics and will also provide more analysis especially in the trends that it projects.

In the afternoon, Ms. Gladys R. Malayang, Executive Director of Health and Development Initiatives Institute, presented the prototype of the AIDS Response Database which maps the organizations and activities responding to AIDS in the country. It will be an internet database and will be lodged at PNAC Secretariat Office.

After all the presentations, reactions were solicited from PNAC members represented by Usec. Austere Panadero, Vice-Chair of PNAC; Dr. Gerad Belimac, Programme Manager of National AIDS/STD Prevention and Control Division of DOH; and Mr. Robin Carbonel from Pinoy Plus.

Discussion followed as facilitated by Dr. Ofelia P. Saniel, M&E Expert. Dr. Edelina dela Paz, HAIN Executive Director and a PNAC member closed the forum. Dr. Ferchito Avelino, Program Manager of Tropical Disease Foundation, was the Master of Ceremonies of the Forum. Participants proceeded to the 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held at Quirino Grandstand.