KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — A total of 277 residents and festival visitors have voluntarily and courageously stepped forward to undergo free HIV counseling and
testing as of Wednesday, July 15, 2026, amid the ongoing 27th T’nalak Festival and 60th Foundation Anniversary celebrations.
The testing campaign, spearheaded by the South Cotabato HIV/AIDS Core Team (HACT) under the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), has been actively running
its mobile clinical services to make crucial health resources highly accessible to the public during the peak of the festivities.
John Codilla, Infectious Disease Program Chief of South Cotabato, commended the bravery and self-care shown by the community members who took the initiative to know
their status.
“We are extremely proud of the 277 individuals who chose to prioritize their health. Getting tested is not a sign of fear, but an act of courage and responsible living," Codilla
stated.
Codilla shared that their goal during the vibrant celebration of the culture of South Cotabato is to also build a healthier, highly informed, and stigma-free South Cotabato.
“We want to show everyone that knowing your status is the first step to protecting yourself and your loved ones,” he emphasized.
The HACT mobile clinic is offering a wide range of free and completely confidential services, including: HIV Counseling & Rapid Testing, Syphilis and Hepatitis B
Screening, HIV Prevention Education, Free Condoms and Lubricants, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for eligible individuals.
To accommodate festival-goers, the healthcare booth is strategically situated in front of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the South Cotabato Gymnasium
and Cultural Center in Koronadal City.
The night clinic operates from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM and will remain open to the public until July 17, 2026.
As the T’nalak Festival approaches its grand culmination on July 18, health advocates are inviting both locals and tourists to drop by, take advantage of the free services, and
celebrate the milestone year with pride, confidence, and protection.
