Caraga: The Department of Social Welfare and Development has extended its support to 213 individuals living with HIV in the Caraga Region this year, as officials highlighted the initiative on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. This aid is a response to the increasing number of HIV cases in the area.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Health has reported a significant rise in HIV cases in the Caraga Region, with numbers escalating from 1,464 in 2024 to 2,195 in 2025, marking an increase of 731 cases. This surge has prompted the DSWD-13 to focus its efforts on providing comprehensive assistance to affected individuals, addressing their medical, nutritional, financial, educational, and transportation needs through its Protective Services Division.
The data from DSWD-13 reveals that 84 percent of the recipients of this assistance are male, highlighting the higher incidence of the disease among men in the region. The distribution of aid recipients shows that the majority hail from Agusan del Norte with 91 individuals, followed by Agusan del Sur with 60, Surigao del Norte with 38, Surigao del Sur with 20, and Dinagat Islands with 4.
Further insights from DOH-13 indicate that male-to-male sex remains the predominant mode of HIV transmission, with 49 percent of those infected falling within the 25 to 34 age bracket. The collaboration between DSWD and other health agencies is crucial in addressing the rising HIV cases and providing necessary support to those affected.
