TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON HIV/AIDS

The Working Group on HIV/AIDS is the operational arm of the Theme Group, composed of HIV/AIDS focal points, as well as technical staff from the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) Secretariat and representatives from two non-government organizations of people living with HIV/AIDS, namely, Pinoy Plus Association and Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI). The Technical Working Group is tasked to carry out joint planning and monitoring of UN activities related to HIV/AIDS. Specifically, it is tasked to:

1. Assist/reinforce the capacity of the national leadership to coordinate, manage and monitor the expanded response to HIV/AIDS epidemic and its consequences.
2. In close collaboration with the PNAC Secretariat and the implementing agencies of the national expanded response, prepare and implement the workplan of the Theme Group.
3. Undertake monitoring and evaluation of the plan of action of the Theme Group.
4. Promote the integration of HIV/AIDS in the regular programmes of the individual UN agencies and ensure that these are in accordance with UN HIV/AIDS policies and programmes.
5. Identify support needed by individual UN agencies and plan appropriate areas for joint actions.
6. Prepare an inventory of priority policy and programmatic issues for the attention of the Theme Group.
7. Assist in the compilation and maintenance of a data bank of national experts/main actors on all domains of HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
8. Identify the need for and the proposed composition of specialized working groups for approval by the Theme Group.
   

Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases

The Working Group on HIV/AIDS (UNICEF-led with UNFPA, UNAIDS, FAO, ILO, UNDP) launched various activities in the areas of management and advocacy; research and surveillance; care and support; and sharing of best practices. Government and nongovernment organizations were encouraged to actively participate in the theme group activities, including the implementation of a national strategic plan for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.

The non-government organizations were at the forefront of advocacy efforts, especially in promoting the UNAIDS mandates–groups such as the Remedios AIDS Foundation, Pinoy Plus, the AIDS Society of the Philippines, among others. The Philippine AIDS Council (PNAC) through its advocacy committee, revised the Philippine Country Paper on HIV/AIDS.

Membership