Iloilo City has been cited for its Outstanding Achievement in Community-led Interventions during the Community Operationalizing People-Centered HIV Response (COPE HIV) Culminating Activity at Quezon City on June 26.
The award, which was received by City Councilor Alan Zaldivar on behalf of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, was given by Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Action for Health Initiatives, In. (ACHIEVE).
“The Iloilo City Government and the entire Ilonggo community is deeply honored to accept this award recognizing our partnership in the implementation of different initiatives under the COPE Project,” said Treñas.
The project, which has been implemented in the Philippines since 2022, is under the UNAIDS Asia Pacific HIV Prevention Innovations Programme 2021-2023, a multi-country grant supported by the Government of Australia.
As one of the partner cities for the implementation of the project, the Iloilo City Government has benefitted in terms of strengthening its local HIV response involving 180 barangays for community-based initiatives in fighting HIV and AIDS, and the formalized partnership between the community-led organization Team Dugong Bughaw and Iloilo City Health Office for integration of HIV services.
In 2019, Treñas also joined other Philippine mayors in endorsing the Fast-Track Cities initiative, affirming its commitment by signing the Paris Declaration to end the AIDS epidemic.
More recently, the city also initiated the inaugural District-Based Adolescent Health Summit in Arevalo District, which was designed to empower the youth with essential knowledge on HIV prevention, sexual health, and mental well-being.
“We acknowledge the importance of collective commitment and sustainable efforts in addressing public health challenges. Rest assured that the Iloilo City Government remains committed and dedicated to the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS, as the people-centered approach of the COPE Project aligns perfectly with our city’s vision of inclusive healthcare,” the city mayor added. (Iloilo City PIO)
