New HIV testing clinic and community center to open in Puerto Princesa City

• Source:http://palawan-news.com/new-hiv-testing-clinic-and-community-center-to-open-in-puerto-princesa-city/
• Monday, March 21, 2016

(PalawanNews)

In an effort to widen its reach in providing free and confidential HIV testing, counseling, and promotion of safer sex practices, the HIV/AIDS awareness advocacy group plans to open a clinic and community center in Puerto Princesa City.

The group composed of Palawan H4-Palawan, Inc., LoveYourself, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., in partnership with DOH Region 4B have seen the need to have a bigger facility to accommodate the growing number of clients availing HIV testing services.

The new community center, dubbed as MarvBella Community Center will be located along Abad Santos Street in Puerto Princesa City. It will be open on May 20, 2016

“We really wanted our new Center to be accessible to everyone. It’s just walking distance which will let many more people to get tested, know their status and, very soon, seek treatment right away,” said Project H4-Palawan, Inc. Founder and Executive Director Calvin June Sintoy. He added that it is the Puerto Princesa City upscale version of the LoveYourself community centers in Manila

In order to magnify the impact of the HIV campaign in Puerto Princesa City and the province of Palawan, as well as ensure its sustainability, the group signed up a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last March 14, 2016 at the DOH R4B office in Quezon City to assist in the prevention and awareness campaign on HIV to public transport vehicles, schools, colleges/ universities, and establishments.

The center will implement advocacy programs such as PBSR (Philippine Business Sector Response on HIV), HIV Caravan, and establish a community center for the MSMs (men having sex with men), TGs (transgenders), and Youth which will serve as a safe space for them where they can use for recreational activities, developmental and livelihood training, and HIV testing.

It will be funded by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. and Department of Health Region 4B, and will be operated by Project H4-Palawan, Inc. in partnership with LoveYourself, Inc.