A one-day health forum on HIV and AIDS awareness was facilitated by the Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. at the HRTC Building in BUSCO Sugar Milling Company. The forum accommodated 100 mill laborers in two batches.
In November 2025, Valencia City was ranked third in the list of cities with most PLHIV (person living with HIV) cases in Region X. The surge of HIV cases in the city prompted the SIFI Mindanao team, represented by Emmanuel Capul, to conduct an awareness-raising session providing strengthened preventive education and promoting healthier, safe and well-informed communities.
The forum was led by Mr. Francis Belarma, Senior Nurse 3 of the BSMCI Clinic, as the resource speaker. Several key activities and lectures were tackled on the understanding of HIV and AIDS, its prevention, testing, treatment, management, and the reduction of stigma through addressing misconceptions and debunking of myths. A session on Q&A was also opened to the participants.
This event served as an essential platform for preventive education and community health awareness. With the support of SIFI and BUSCO Sugar Milling Company, the mill workers have gained accurate knowledge on their welfare. The participants left with strengthened awareness, improved understanding, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding their well-being and that of their families and co-workers.
Northern Mindanao currently has 18 treatment hubs and primary HIV care facilities across the region.
*Reports from Emmanuel Capul
