VPHCS joins World AIDS Day Celebration

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) joined the World AIDS Day celebration last December 1 together with various groups which included the Cebu City Multisectoral STD and AIDS Council, Department of Health, Cebu City Health Department, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu Plus Association, and other non-government organizations.

The celebration started with a holy mass in the chapel of the Asilo de la Milagrosa, followed by a motorcade that ended in Plaza Independencia where a program was held.

The VPHCS is currently supporting the Iglesia Filipina Independiente – Visayas-Mindanao Regional Office for Development (IFI-VIMROD) in its project on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.

World AIDS Day is the focal point of the World AIDS Campaign, which is active all year round. On December 1, there are many health education campaigns. Anti-discrimination activities are also launched on or around this date. 

Staff of VPHCS and IFI-VIMROD pose before the program 

marking the celebration of the World AIDS Day in Plaza Independencia

following a motorcade along the city’s main streets.

During the program, Jerson See, president of the Cebu Plus Association, Inc. appealed for non-discrimination and respect for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Other speakers in the program included Cebu City Health Officer Dr. Stella M. Ygona, VSMMC Medical Specialist Dr. Annabelle Fuentes, and Cebu City Health Office Head of STD and HIV/Aids Detection Unit Dr. Ilya A. Tac-an.

A beauty pageant, Mr. and Miss World AIDS Day capped the celebration. 

Another pose in Plaza Independencia after the motorcade.