GINGOOG City — Health officials are urging residents to take HIV prevention seriously and get tested as the city recorded 58 confirmed cases as of the second quarter of 2026. 

City Councilor Dr. Jerome Magan, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health, confirmed that HIV cases in the city continue to rise. 

“Gasaka ug gasaka ang kaso sa HIV sa Gingoog,” Magan said. 

Magan, a physician, urged residents to practice preventive measures and take steps to protect themselves from HIV infection. 

Marzita Arango, chairperson of the Gingoog City AIDS Network (GCAN), said two of the 58 people diagnosed with HIV had died. She said both were males aged 30 to 38. 

Arango said the figure may not reflect the actual number of people living with HIV in the city because some may not have been tested due to fear, shame or concerns about stigma. 

She urged people who may have been exposed to HIV to get tested, stressing that early detection allows those infected to seek treatment and manage the condition. 

Magan said he could not recall the city’s latest total but stressed that the continuing increase remains a concern. 

The City Health Office is strengthening HIV prevention and education through its Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC), which conducts awareness activities in schools, barangays, Sangguniang Kabataan groups, companies, and government and private offices. 

The center also includes discussions on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS in its food handlers’ classes as part of its continuing health education efforts. 

Arango also stressed the importance of protecting the confidentiality of people living with HIV and providing them with proper support. 

She encouraged residents to undergo HIV testing and seek appropriate medical care. 

Magan said continued public education, testing and preventive measures are important as Gingoog responds to the rising number of HIV cases. 

The city’s health campaign aims to help residents make informed decisions about HIV prevention and encourage those at risk to seek testing and care.