UNAIDS

The United Nations has been involved in the response of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines since the late 1980's. The World Health Organization worked closely with the country's Department of Health when it formulated the First Philippine Medium-Term Plan on HIV/AIDS in 1988. Since then, many UN agencies have provided technical and financial resources to the Government of the Philippines and its new partners as AIDS prevention and care grew out of the confines of health issues.

During the 1990's, attempts were made both locally and globally to make the UN response HIV/AIDS more coordinated and even more effective. In 1992, the heads of UN agencies in the Philippines announced the formation of an inter-agency task force on HIV/AIDS as part of the Philippine National AIDS Awareness Month. Members included the WHO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNHCR, UNIC, ILO, and FAO.

UNAIDS in the Philippines was established in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a major partner of the Philippine government in its efforts to thwart the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It has played an important role in the passage of Republic Act 8504 known as “The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998”, which is recognized globally as an “international best practice”.

It has also provided technical and financial assistance in the development of RA 8504’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Moreover, the UNAIDS Strategic Plan Development Funds (SPDF) granted funding support for the crafting of the Medium Term Plan for AIDS Prevention and Control (MTP III) and the establishment of Local AIDS Councils in selected local government units. Currently, the Program Acceleration Funds (PAF) serves as the UNAIDS package of support in operationalizing major programme areas in the MTP III.

UNAIDS operates at the country level through the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS composed of various UN agencies. These agencies work together in a common effort against the HIV/AIDS epidemic with each agency contributing according to its own special mandate and comparative strengths. They share equally in the objectives and responsibility of UNAIDS within the framework of the UN Resident Coordinator system through which the Theme Group derives its operational mandate.

The Theme Group in the Philippines, through the UNAIDS Secretariat, works closely with the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), a multi-sectoral coordinating body tasked to manage the country’s expanded response to HIV/AIDS. Partnership thrusts extend to policy and strategy decisions and joint advocacy.

CONTACT US:

Address:
UNAIDS /UN
31/F Floor, Yuchengco Tower
RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Philippines

Tel. No.:

TEL (632) 901-04-12
TEL (632) 901-04-11
TEL (632) 901-04-14

FAX (632) 901-04-15

Web Site: www.unaids.org

E-mail: unaids.ph@undp.org