Benguet Provincial Health Office

14/08/2026

𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐓𝐈, 𝐇𝐈𝐕, 𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Provincial Government of Benguet conducted the STI, HIV, AIDS Policy Dissemination on Provincial Ordinance No. 2026-392 today at the Gov. Ben Palispis Hall, 3rd Floor, Provincial Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet, highlighting the province's commitment to a stronger, coordinated, and inclusive response to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The activity centered on the dissemination of 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗡𝗼. 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲-𝟯𝟵𝟮, an ordinance institutionalizing and strengthening the Province of Benguet's STI, HIV, and AIDS response program, providing funds therefor, and for other purposes. The ordinance was authored by Hon. Lady Charmaine Molintas-Likigan and sponsored by the Committee on Health and Sanitation.

The policy dissemination was held in connection with the province's observance of the Indigenous Peoples HIV Awareness Day, institutionalized every August 9 under the ordinance. The observance recognizes the importance of bringing accurate HIV information and responsive health services closer to Indigenous Peoples communities while respecting their cultures, traditions, and values.

Dr. Meliarazon F. Dulay, Provincial Health Officer II, described the occasion as meaningful milestone for Benguet, emphasizing that the newly enacted ordinance provides a stronger policy foundation for the province's STI, HIV, and AIDS response. She highlighted the importance of strengthening coordination in prevention, confidential testing, treatment and referral, community education, psychosocial support, and protection against stigma and discrimination.

She also shared that HIV screening in Benguet increased by 60 percent during the first semester of 2026, providing more people with the opportunity to know their HIV status.

"Our strongest point at present is connecting diagnosed individuals to treatment, and we have Benguet General Hospital as our treatment hub," Dr. Dulay said. She emphasized that more work remains to be done in finding individuals who remain undiagnosed, ensuring continuity of treatment, and helping more people achieve viral suppression.

"The ordinance is not the destination, it is the platform of action," she expressed.

Meanwhile, Governor Melchor D. Diclas underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing STI, HIV, and AIDS in Benguet. He recognized the role of screening in preventing and controlling the spread of HIV and emphasized the need to strengthen the province's collective efforts in addressing the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and STIS.

As author of the ordinance, Hon. Lady Charmaine Molintas-Likigan emphasized that HIV is not only a health concern but also an issue of education, access to services, human dignity, confidentiality, and freedom from stigma and discrimination.

A significant provision of the ordinance is the institutionalization of the IP HIV Awareness Day every August 9.

Through the annual observance, the province seeks to bring accurate HIV information closer to Indigenous communities, correct misconceptions, encourage voluntary testing, promote early treatment, and break the stigma surrounding HIV.

"Culture and public health do not have to stand apart. Our culture can be one of our greatest strengths in protecting our communities," Hon. Lady Charmaine Molintas-Likigan shared.

The activity was further attended by representatives from the Department of Health - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CHD-CAR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples - Benguet (NCIP-Benguet), Benguet State University (BSU), Commission on Higher Education - Cordillera (CHED-CAR), Schools Division Office of Benguet (SDO-Benguet), Benguet Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, and Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Province - Benguet (AMHOP-Benguet), who conveyed their solidarity and support for the province's strengthened HIV response.

As the implementing office, PHO is committed to translating the provisions of the ordinance into concrete actions and accessible services, strengthening prevention, testing, treatment, referral, and community education. Through partnerships and coordination, the office stands tall in working together to transform stigma, discrimination, and barriers into care, understanding, and compassion.

14/08/2026

DENGUE CASES UPDATE MW 31| For the period August 2-8, 2026 (Morbidity Week 31), there were 51 dengue cases newly recorded in the province of Benguet which bring to a total of 1,509 from January 4 to August 8, 2026, 22% higher compared to the 1,238 cases monitored on the same period in CY2025. One (1) death was recorded in the municipality of Itogon.

Data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit show that the municipality of Itogon still has the highest case with 528 followed by the municipalities of Tuba and Atok with 310 and 188, respectively. Tuba recorded a 464% increase compared to the same period in CY2025 which only had fifty-five (55) cases while the municipality of Atok has a 318% increase which only had forty-five (45) cases at the same period.

The public is urged to visit your nearest health center for a medical check-up upon experiencing the early signs and symptoms of dengue virus infection such as high fever accompanied by severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.

Be cautious and avoid mosquito bites this rainy season. Practice the 4S Strategy Kontra Dengue:

1. SEEK EARLY CONSULTATION | Consult your nearest healthcare center for proper medical treatment and advice when symptoms such as fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and or rashes are observed or experienced;

2. SEARCH AND DESTROY MOSQUITO BREEDING SITES | Check your surroundings for stagnant waters and clean these areas to prevent mosquitoes to breed and multiply. Practice 4Ts: TAOB, TAKTAK, TUYO, TAKIP;

3. SELF-PROTECTION | This rainy season, wear long-sleeved clothing, and use insect sprays, insect repellants, mosquito nets, and window screens; and

4. SUPPORT FOGGING/SPRAYING DURING OUTBREAKS.

14/08/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | 𝗗𝗢𝗛 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗰 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘁, 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Dr. Albert Edralin Domingo, concurrent Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council, visited the Benguet Provincial Health Office (PHO), on August 13, to monitor the implementation of Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MRSIA) with vitamin A supplementation in the province.

The visitation and monitoring activity was held at the PHSOMP Building, BeGH Compound, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The visit provided an opportunity to assess the province's progress in the ongoing MRSIA implementation, review accomplishments, and identify areas requiring further support to ensure the effective delivery of immunization and nutrition interventions to children.

13/08/2026

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘁 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗠𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Provincial Government of Benguet, through the Provincial Health Office, in partnership with the Department of Health-Cordillera, officially launched the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MRSIA) with Vitamin A Supplementation on August 11 at the Benguet Provincial Capitol Lobby, Población, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The province-wide campaign aims to close immunity gaps among children aged 6 to 59 months and strengthen community protection against measles and rubella, diseases that can cause serious complications and potentially lead to outbreaks when vaccination coverage is insufficient.

The launching, originally scheduled for August 10, was moved to August 11 due to inclement weather. Despite the unfavorable conditions, provincial and regional health authorities, health workers, parents, and partners gathered for the ceremonial launch and vaccination activity.

"Despite the weather, despite the calamity, we must go on because our children cannot wait, prevention cannot wait. Let us vaccinate today, protect our children today, and build a safer, healthier, and more resilient province for tomorrow," Dr. Meliarazon F. Dulay, Provincial Health Officer, enthused.

DOH-CHD-CAR Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan likewise underscored the importance of vaccination in protecting children and communities.

She highlighted three key messages for parents and communities: vaccines are safe, vaccines are effective, and vaccines are free and available.

"Protektado ang bawat bata, panatag ang bawat pamilya, healthy ang bawat komunidad," Dr. Amelita Pangilinan said.

Meanwhile, Hon. Dr. Melchor D. Diclas, Provincial Governor, expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the launch and vaccination efforts.

The province also recognized the support of vaccinators from DOH-CHD Metro Manila, one of the health workers who augmented Benguet's vaccination workforce during the campaign.

Through the continued collaboration of the Provincial Government of Benguet, PHO, DOH-CHD-CAR, PDOHO Benguet, local government units, health workers, parents, and partner agencies, Benguet continues to strengthen its defenses against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Along with the provincial kick-off, Mankayan RHU also launched its MRSIA with vitamin A Supplementation at the local level on August 11.

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐕 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄; 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐕 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘

The Provincial Government of Benguet, headed by Governor Dr. Melchor D. Diclas, formally institutionalized its province-wide response to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and AIDS through the ceremonial signing of Provincial Ordinance No. 2026-392.

The ordinance strengthens the province’s efforts on STI, HIV, AIDS prevention, voluntary and confidential testing, treatment and referral, community education, psychosocial support, and protection against HIV-related discrimination.

It also declares August 9 of every year as Provincial Indigenous Peoples HIV Awareness Day, coinciding with National Indigenous Peoples Day, to promote HIV awareness and culturally responsive health interventions among indigenous communities in the Province.

Governor Diclas led the ceremonial signing of the measure, witnessed by Hon. Lady Charmaine Molintas-Likigan, author and SP Committee Chairperson on Committee on Health and Sanitation, Hon. Romeo K. Salda, Hon. Armando I. Lauro, Hon. Mary Joy P. Sabo-Fermin, Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran, Country Program Manager of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)- Philippines, Provincial Health Office, led by Dr. Meliarazon F. Dulay, Provincial Health Officer II, and provincial department heads and employees.

Under the ordinance, the Provincial Health Board will serve as the Provincial AIDS Council to oversee the province’s STI, HIV and AIDS response, with support from a multi-sectoral Technical Working Group. It strengthens access to prevention, voluntary and confidential HIV testing, counseling, treatment, and care.

The measure also protects persons living with HIV (PLHIV) from discrimination and safeguards the confidentiality of HIV-related information. It mandates a three-year provincial response plan and annual funding, while encouraging municipalities to strengthen their local HIV programs in line with Republic Act No. 11166 and collaborate with the Department of Health - Center for Health Development - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CHD-CAR) and project NAMNAMA.

11/08/2026

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐌𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Province of Benguet officially launches Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MRSIA) with vitamin A supplementation at the Provincial Capitol Lobby, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet, today, August 11.

The launching ceremony, originally scheduled for August 10, was moved to August 11 due to inclement weather. A ceremonial vaccination was also conducted.

The 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘆 is still 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 for MRSIA with Vit. A supplementation until 𝟯 𝗣𝗠. Take dvantage of this day and bring your children aged 𝟲-𝟱𝟵 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀!

10/08/2026

𝗜𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗗 | Ngayong tag-ulan, mas maging handa, maingat, at malinis upang makaiwas sa mga sakit na maaaring lumaganap sa panahon ng pag-ulan.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 - Uminom ng malinis at ligtas na tubig at panatilihing malinis ang kamay.
𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗮-𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 - Magtakip ng ilong at bibig kapag umuubo o bumabahing at umiwas sa malapitang paikisalamuha kapag may sakit
𝗟𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 - Iwasang lumusong sa baha at magsuot ng protective footwear kung kinakailangan
𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 - Isagawa ang 𝟰𝗦 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 at alisin ang mga bagay na maaaring pamugaran ng lamok.

𝑲𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒕 𝒐 𝒊𝒃𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒔, 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒅 𝒏𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒑𝒂𝒌𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕 𝒏𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐 𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍.//lac

10/08/2026

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | The Benguet Provincial Health Office joins the nation in celebrating National Hospital Week with the theme, "𝑱𝒖𝒂𝒏 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑱𝒖𝒂𝒏𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒆𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒉𝒊𝒚𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝑶𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒂 𝑴𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒌𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂."

Together, let us celebrate the 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 who work tirelessly for a healthier Benguet!

09/08/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

The YAKAP CLINIC will OPEN tomorrow, August 10, 2026, despite the suspension of work in government offices across the Province of Benguet.

Please stay safe and take extra precautions during this time.