Naga City has the most number of HIV cases in the Bicol Region, as reported by the Department of Health (DOH), placing the area under Category A.

Category A means that Naga City is recording many positive cases of HIV.

According to the DOH - HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP), Naga City recorded 62 new cases from January 2024 to May 2024. The rising trend shows younger individuals are increasingly affected.

Since 1984, Bicol has reported a total of 2,553 HIV cases. In 2021, there were 264 cases, which increased to 362 in 2022, and nearly 400 cases in 2023.

"That is why we keep on saying na yung knowledge management, providing education, equipping the youth with the skills and the ability to say no and safeguard themselves [is important]," Nenita Laude Ortega, Program Manager of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said.

Health workers view the increase in reported cases positively, as it indicates effective monitoring and a growing willingness among people to get tested and take preventive measures.

"We are encouraging everyone to get tested para at least may baseline kayo ng HIV status niyo. Marami kasing nangyayari na initially negative tapos sa mga susunod na pag-test nagpa-postive," Grace Guevara, Chief Medical Technologist at Naga City Social Hygiene Unit, said.

The advocacy group "Gentlemen Bicol" urged the public not to fear or hesitate in undergoing testing and treatment to prevent further spread of HIV.