The Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau has released the latest HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report covering October to December 2025. The report provides an updated picture of the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, including new diagnoses, treatment outcomes, and progress toward global targets. Here is what you need to know.
Overview
As of December 2025, an estimated 252,800 Filipinos are living with HIV. Since the first reported case in 1984, a total of 163,454 confirmed cases have been recorded in the HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines.
252,800
Estimated PLHIV
163,454
Total confirmed cases since 1984
4,277
New cases (Q4 2025)
47
Average per day
Where the Philippines stands on the 95-95-95 targets
The global 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to be on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to have a suppressed viral load. The Philippines has not yet met any of these benchmarks:
- 61% of estimated PLHIV have been diagnosed (target: 95%)
- 66% of diagnosed PLHIV are currently on antiretroviral therapy (target: 95%)
- 57% of PLHIV on ART are virally suppressed (target: 95%)
Compared to the previous reporting period, diagnosis coverage increased by 2%, treatment coverage decreased by 1%, and viral suppression among those on ART increased by 2%.
What does "virally suppressed" mean? When a person on HIV treatment has a very low level of virus in their blood (1,000 copies/mL or fewer), they are considered virally suppressed. At undetectable levels, HIV cannot be transmitted sexually. This is known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).
New cases this quarter
From October to December 2025, 4,277 new HIV cases were confirmed and reported. This is 1% higher than the same quarter last year. Of these:
- 94% were male and 6% were female
- The median age at diagnosis was 27 years old
- 25% had advanced HIV disease at the time of diagnosis, meaning the virus had already significantly weakened their immune system
The average number of new cases per day was 47, unchanged from the same quarter last year.
Monthly case averages have been climbing: from 1,435 per month in 2023, to 1,459 in 2024, to 1,647 per month in 2025, a 13% increase year-over-year. The number of certified confirming laboratories also grew from 26 in 2021 to 195 by end of 2025, which may partly explain the increase through wider testing coverage.
Who is most affected
By age group, nearly half (45%) of new cases this quarter were aged 25 to 34, followed by those aged 15 to 24 (32%). The proportion of young people being diagnosed continues to grow: cases among those under 15 increased by 127% over the past five years, and cases among 15-to-24-year-olds increased by 108%.
Sexual contact remains the primary mode of transmission, accounting for 96% of all cases since 1984. Among newly diagnosed males, 87% acquired HIV through sex with another male.
PrEP enrollment
From October to December 2025, 4,760 new clients enrolled in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is most used by young adults aged 18 to 34, who carry the greatest burden of new infections.
Since PrEP implementation began in March 2021, a total of 78,797 clients have been enrolled. However, retention remains a challenge: only 18% of total enrollees returned for a PrEP refill in 2025. Among those who did not return, 3% (1,415) later tested positive for HIV.
PrEP is most widely distributed in Greater Metro Manila, where the highest number of cases occur. The top three regions for PrEP enrollment are NCR (29%), CALABARZON (19%), and Central Luzon (11%).
Treatment and viral suppression
As of December 2025, 100,671 people living with HIV are currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among those tested for viral load in the past 12 months, 97% were virally suppressed, showing that treatment is highly effective when people stay on it.
However, significant gaps remain in the treatment cascade:
- Only 61% of eligible PLHIV on ART were tested for viral load in the past 12 months
- 33,806 individuals (24%) who were previously on ART are no longer receiving treatment, the vast majority due to being lost to follow-up
- Regions with the highest loss-to-follow-up rates are Davao (40%) and Eastern Visayas (32%)
Lost to follow-up means a person has not visited their treatment facility for an ARV refill within 30 days of their expected refill date. People who stop ART are at risk of their viral load increasing, their health worsening, and potentially transmitting HIV to others.
Regional breakdown
The five regions with the highest number of new cases in Q4 2025 were:
- NCR (Metro Manila) — 899 cases (21%)
- CALABARZON (Region 4A) — 723 cases (17%)
- Central Luzon (Region 3) — 447 cases (10%)
- Davao (Region 11) — 270 cases (6%)
- Central Visayas (Region 7) — 223 cases (5%)
These five regions account for 60% of all new cases this quarter and have consistently reported the highest numbers since 2011.
What this means for you
The numbers in this report highlight both progress and persistent challenges. Testing coverage is expanding, ART is effective, and viral suppression rates among those tested are high. But the Philippines is still far from the 95-95-95 targets, and tens of thousands of people who started treatment have since fallen out of care.
If you have not been tested recently, you can find free, confidential HIV testing at facilities across the Philippines through our directory. If you are already on treatment, staying on your ARV medication consistently is the single most important thing you can do for your health.
Download the full report
The complete Q4 2025 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau is available as a PDF.
Source: HIV/AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines, Q4 2025. Published by the National HIV/AIDS & STI Surveillance and Strategic Information Unit (NHSSS), Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau.
