Samarnons join worldwide remembrance of AIDS Day

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
December 2, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  More than four hundred Samarnons gathered early Monday in remembrance of World Aids Day this December 1, 2008.

The Samar Provincial AIDS Council (SPAC) spearheaded the commemoration. Samarnons in red had an early morning warm up exercise before jogging around downtown Catbalogan.

They returned to Imelda Park, Samar Capitol Grounds for a brief program that featured Ms. Rina, an HIV/AIDS victim who testified the life she is living with HIV/AIDS. She narrated that she went abroad because of poverty and did not expect such an affliction would shatter her dreams.

However with the support group that she met, she has been given a chance and vowed to join the advocacy group to educate her fellow Filipinos. She also urged the policy makers to make the anti retro viral drug be available to victims like her as most of them may not be capable to buy the drug.

The lady also enjoined her audience to spread the information and education that HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through body fluids like semen, cervical mucus, breast milk and blood. She also told her audience that a mere handshake will not infect another.

Lore Donceras, a nurse at the Provincial Health Office (PHO) told the audience ways to avoid AIDS like abstinence, being faithful to one’s partner, correct use of condom, avoiding taking drugs and education or the correct information as regards HIV/AIDS.

Ms. Eunice Babalcon, Samar Board member who chairs SPAC said that HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue but a social concern. She noted that Ms. Rina left the country because of poverty.

SPAC with other NGOs have been holding activities for HIV/AIDS awareness since November 24 when the group unveiled the WAD icon.

Waraya and Kartada Samar, two youth groups have been replicating the adults’ advocacy on HIV/AIDS.

Other groups include the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), Leyte Family Development Organization (LEFADO), Population Services Pilipinas Inc. (PSPI), Population Commission, schools like Samar College, St. Mary’s College, Samar State University, Red Cross, Catbalogan City government, JIL, and the two fraternities called Alpha Rho and Alpha Kappha Omega.