Several personalities and staff of Brigada News FM Kabankalan underwent a voluntary HIV testing on Thursday, February 12, in a show of support for the city’s campaign to promote Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) awareness and encourage people to know their status.
The testing, conducted in coordination with the Kabankalan City Health Office (KCHO), aimed to normalize testing, end stigma, and highlight the availability of free, confidential screening services in the city.
Health workers provided pre- and post-counseling to the individuals and assured “strict confidentiality” of results.
By taking the test, the broadcast personalities set an example and encouraged listeners, readers, and community members to treat HIV screening as a normal part of regular healthcare.
Earlier, KCHO-HIV Coordinator Sandra Arellano reported that the city recorded one of the highest numbers of new HIV cases in Negros Occidental, a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens the body’s ability to fight infections.
From January to November 2025, the city recorded 33 new HIV cases, placing fourth in the province out of 128 total infections.
Local health officials continue to urge sexually active individuals and those unsure of their status to get tested, stressing that “early detection allows timely treatment” and helps prevent transmission and serious medical concerns.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.