Positive Action Foundation Philippines Inc. (PAFPI)
Working on Hard Work
PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 2009

Founded in 1988, the Positive Action Foundation Philippines Inc (PAFPI) provides education, care, support and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDs and their caregivers – not much of a difference (admittedly, when closely considered) from other organizations on HIV and/or AIDS in the Philippines.
But that, nonetheless, only touches on what PAFPI does.

PAFPI’s services include those focusing on Filipinos with HIV and/or AIDS, and/or those not infected but are affected by the virus.  These include: pre-departure HIV/AIDs training for Filipino migrant contract workers; self-expression workshops; skills and capacity building for HIV positive people; counselling services for infected and affected Filipinos; home and hospital visits; and burial facilities.
Yet other services include: educational campaigns to inform the public about HIV and/or AIDS issues; advocacy to the government and other bodies (e.g. donor and/or grant agencies) on improving the conditions for PHAs/PLWHAs; and lobbying for the introduction of much more affordable generic treatments (ARVs).

Among others, partner donor agency Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA (http://apheda.labor.net.au) cite PAFPI’s continuing efforts to uplift the status of Filipinos workers – and, as a whole, the Filipino people, e.g. continuously mentioning it because “Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA began working with the Positive Action Foundation of the Philippines Inc (PAFPI) in 2000 to support HIV/AIDS training for Philippine migrant workers and to create and support a drop-in centre for those affected by HIV/AIDS. The centre provides care, support, education about HIV/AIDS and safe sex practices, counselling, and therapy for those with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers.”

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA itself, of course, notes that “the HIV/AIDS toll in the Philippines cannot be underestimated. The current government figure of those infected stands at 1,850 but this figure is deemed very conservative by the Philippines National AIDS Council. Thirty eight percent of those who are HIV positive are overseas workers, indicating that much more needs to be done in the areas of training and support,” states the group’s Web site.

And it is in this that, hopefully, PAFPI will continue making a positive impact.

For information, visit 2613 Dian St., Malate, City of Manila; call (+632) 4840894 to 95; or email yoobojosh@hotmail.com.