Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4120

Introduced by Representative Jan Rurik D. Padiernos, GP (Galing sa Puso) Party-List

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution establishes the responsibility of the State to protect and
promote the right to health through an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development, making services accessible to all at affordable costs and prioritizing the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children.

The Philippines is facing a critical HIV pandemic with the fastest growing number of cases
in the Asia-Pacific region. While the country is still considered low-prevalence, the rate of new
infections is alarming, particularly among young people. The Department of Health (DOH) reports
an average of 57 new HIV cases per day, a significant increase from previous years, and a worrying
shift towards younger age groups.

As of March 2025, there were 139,610 confirmed cases of people with HIV, and the number
is projected to reach 252,800 by the end of the year. In the first quarter of 2025, it is especially
worrisome that a third of newly diagnosed HIV cases are among young Filipinos aged 15 to 24
years old. The youngest diagnosed case was 12 years old. Highlighting the direct impact on
children, there are 371 cases (less than 1%) were diagnosed in those under 15 years old. These
young people will need to be on treatment for life.

There are 145 HIV/AIDS-related deaths recorded from January to March 2025 and 96% of
new infections were transmitted through sexual contact. While the data focuses on broader groups,
the 12-year-old diagnosis confirms that children are directly contracting HIV. Although the DOH
is focused on preventing vertical transmission (mother-to-child), coverage of pregnant women
receiving antiretroviral therapy for prevention is still low at 16%.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the treatment for HIV infection, involving a combination
of medications that suppress the virus and prevent it from damaging the immune system. While
ART cannot cure HIY, it allows people with HIV to live long and healthy lives and reduces the risk
of transmission.

This bill seeks to provide access to ART for children ages 15 years old and above who are
afflicted with HIV/AIDS even without the consent of their parents. To lower the transmission rate
and in save the Filipino children from the alarming epidemic, the passage of the bills is earnestly

sought for.
Gade

ATTY. JAN RURIK PADIERNOS
GP (Galing sa Puso) Party-List



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. £12

Introduced by Representative Jan Rurik D. Padiernos, GP (Galing sa Puso) Party-List

AN ACT
PROVIDING ACCESS TO ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART) TO CHILDREN
AGES ABOVE 15 YEARS OLD, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 11166, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS PHILIPPINE HIV AND AIDS POLICY
ACT, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. A new Section 34 is hereby inserted to Republic Act No. 11166 to read
as follows:

“SEC. 34. Access to Medical Services by Children. — Children ages fifteen
(15) years old and above who are diagnosed with HIV shall be allowed
access to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and other HIV/AIDS-related
medical services: Provided, that such child is capable to understand the
benefits and consequences of the said treatment.

SEC. 2. The subsequent provisions of Republic Act No. 11166 shall be renumbered
accordingly.

SEC. 3. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity, the Department of Health shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. All other laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, administrative orders,
rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, and modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official
Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulations.

Approved,