The AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP) is a leading association of individuals from the government, non-government agencies, and the private sector, with a common unifying interest in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS. As a membership organization, it counts among its members, experts and professionals from diverse fields such as health and development, infectious diseases, public health, business, and media and communications.
ASP was established in 1996 by its Founding President, Dr. Ofelia T. Monzon, who pioneered investigative studies on HIV/AIDS at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Its mission is the promotion and support of activities to prevent and control the spread of HIV/ AIDS.
Since then, ASP has established a reputation for excellence in the quality of its activities, in fulfilment of its founding Mission and Vision:
- ASP prepared and managed over 60 projects supported by international multilateral and bilateral agencies such as the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Levi Strauss Foundation, UNFPA, UNAIDS, the European Commission, Novib, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to name a few. (more)
- ASP is an active member of the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), the advisory body to the President of the Philippines on HIV/AIDS policy matters.
- Since 1997, ASP has conducted the biennial Philippine National Convention on AIDS - the only national convention in the country where various stakeholders meet on HIV and AIDS.
- ASP conducted three scientific meetings and workshops on the ethical guidelines in AIDS investigations in the Philippines.
- ASP conducted skills building workshops for medical, non-medical workers, drug users, and persons with HIV/ AIDS (1997- 2000)
- ASP organized two VCT trainings in partnership with the Association of Medical Clinics for Overseas Workers (AMCOW), ACHIEVE, and SACCL.
HIV/AIDS is a problem common to all people, and ASP has increasingly shown sensitivity and responsiveness to this problem. ASP continues to pursue and address HIV/AIDS issues relevant to the community, not only in this country, but also in the Asia Pacific region.
AIDS Society of the Philippines is an affiliate of the AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific (ASAP) and the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc (PNGOC), and an active member of the Philippine National AIDS Council.
Involvement with Media
ASP educates the public about HIV/ AIDS through its partnership with print and broadcast media. Such a partnership is essential to reaching out to a larger audience, and is therefore an effective means of delivering HIV/ AIDS information to larger numbers of people and influence their attitudes towards the pandemic.
Past consultations with various concerned groups including media practitioners cited the need for improved HIV/ AIDS coverage. Suggestions were then incorporated into the AIDS Media Awards and other supplementary activities that make use of media. ASP continues to hope that major media organizations will eventually assume the responsibility of educating and informing audiences about HIV/ AIDS.