PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH COTABATO — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, through the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) and its Disease Prevention and Control Unit (DPCU), has secured 15,000 bottles of Tenofovir 300 mg, Lamivudine 300 mg, and Dolutegravir 50 mg, commonly known as TLD, to help ensure continuous access to antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV in the province.
The procurement, led by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) through its Disease Prevention and Control Unit (DPCU), is aimed at maintaining an adequate supply of antiretroviral medicines for people living with HIV who require lifelong treatment.
John Arlo Codilla, RN, MMHeA, head of the OPHO Infectious Disease Cluster, said the province is focused on making treatment accessible and continuous for patients.
“Our priority is to ensure that no patient is left without the medicines they need. By securing an adequate supply of TLD through outpatient HIV/AIDS treatment package reimbursement funds, we are strengthening continuity of care and making HIV treatment more accessible to our communities,” Codilla said.
The provincial government has also procured laboratory reagents and supplies for HIV viral load and CD4 testing, allowing patients to undergo regular monitoring of their response to treatment.
Maintaining an undetectable viral load through consistent treatment also provides a major public health benefit. People living with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load do not sexually transmit HIV, a principle known as Undetectable equals Untransmissible or U equals U.
For HIV advocate Alyas Balong, the availability of medicines gives patients greater confidence to continue their treatment.
“Malaking bagay sa mga taong nabubuhay na may HIV ang siguradong access sa gamot. Kapag alam nilang tuloy tuloy ang serbisyo, mas nagiging matatag ang loob nilangipagpatuloy ang gamutan,” Balong said.
The province has likewise established an Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment reimbursement trust fund to support the continuing provision of HIV medicines, laboratory commodities, and related services.
The initiative underscores the provincial government’s commitment under Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. to accessible, responsive, and people centered health services, ensuring that public investments translate into concrete support for residents who need lifelong care.
With sustained access to treatment and monitoring, South Cotabato aims to help patients achieve and maintain viral suppression while strengthening the province’s continuing response to HIV.
