The Philippines is currently the fastest growing HIV epidemic in Asia and the Pacific region. A UNAIDS report revealed HIV cases in the country rose from about 4,300 in 2010 to a whopping 10,500 in 2016. Addressing this growing epidemic will require a collaborative effort from various actors in the industry, particularly the community-based organizations (CBOs). But with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, CBOs will also need support to develop their capacity and sustain their services.
The Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) partnered with the Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP), Inc. for the CABLE Bootcamp. The program seeks to strengthen 13 CBOs working in the area of HIV service delivery and advocacy through training sessions and consultations to enable them to become sustainable, independent, and investible institutions.
“The Bootcamp is a fantastic way to culminate the CABLE program. In many ways, its a beginning for a longer journey for all of the participants as Bootcampers and passionate CBOs,” said Sreeni Narayanan, Managing Director of ASSIST.
The program is aligned with SHIP’s own CABLE initiative that delivers improved access to learning resources on basic skills for CBOs in the Philippines. After six weeks of training, a cumulative event was organized to allow CBOs present their project proposals to several development partners. 2 groups emerged as winners—iPLUS Advocacy Group and The Red Whistle, where they will receive funding to sustain and operationalize their project on supporting People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Philippines.
