SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has sounded the alarm on what he calls a public health emergency following a staggering 500% increase in HIV infections among young Filipinos.

Gatchalian emphasized the urgent need for immediate and decisive action to protect the youth from the growing HIV threat.

“It is a wake-up call that our youth are in danger,” he said.

The senator called on the Department of Education to follow through on its commitment to review and correct inconsistencies in Department Order No. 031, s. 2018, which outlines the policy on reproductive health education.

He urged the agency to ensure the proper implementation of age- and development-appropriate reproductive health instruction in schools.

Gatchalian also highlighted the importance of engaging parents through the Parent Effectiveness Service and strengthening moral guidance through Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education programs.

“Kailangang mailigtas natin ang kabataan sa panganib ng HIV—bago pa ito tuluyang lumala,” Gatchalian warned, stressing the need for collaborative efforts to reverse the rising trend of infections.

His statement comes amid growing concern among public health officials over the vulnerability of young people to HIV due to misinformation, stigma, and limited access to comprehensive sexual education.