Business Leaders Support Hiv/Aids Prevention And Control Program In The Workplace

Business leaders call for wider business sector participation in HIV/AIDS. Business executives, led by Shell companies in the Philippines Country Chair Edgar Chua (seated, rightmost), pledged support to the Philippine Business Sector Response to HIV/AIDS on November 11, 2009. Resource speakers include (seated, L-R) National Epidemiology Center Dr. Eric Tayag, UNAIDS Country Coordinator Teresita Marie Bagasao, Department of Health Usec. Mario Villaverde, and Department of Labor and Employment Assec. Ma. Teresa Soriano.

“At the rate that new infections are recorded during the first half of 2009, we are projecting that there will be an estimated 700 new HIV infections by December,” says Dr. Tayag.

The NEC data also shows that from January to July 2009, there have been a total of 432 new HIV infections nationwide, half of which were recorded in Metro Manila. Those infected with HIV are mostly members of the country’s workforce, aged 20-29 years, which similarly puts at risk our own employees, contractors, customers and communities within which companies operate.

The fight against HIV/AIDS requires the concerted efforts of all members of society – governments, industries, communities and individuals. Shell recognizes its responsibility to fight the global AIDS pandemic, and continues to pursue a global HIV/AIDS programme to help protect employees from the disease. Since 2002, the Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) have been pro-active in implementing the HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Program, which is in line with the Shell Group Guidelines. Yearly awareness campaigns and Free Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) have established a very high awareness level and positive response among staff. In 2006-08, over 700 staff have participated in the VCT testing done in the Shell offices.

SciP Country Chairman Edgar O. Chua, nominated as the Champion for the Business & Health Cluster of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the country, led the efforts of the business sector in promoting the HIV AIDS in the Workplace Program.

“We have seen how the spread of the AIDS disease has adversely affected business in many countries. High HIV/AIDS prevalence decreases employee productivity, increases medical costs, and negatively impact the customer base.  The business sector may contribute by widening access to relevant information, which will help curb the spread of the epidemic”, Mr. Edgar Chua, Country Chairman of Shell companies in the Philippines, explains.

Shell and UNAIDS are leading a campaign that encourages business leaders to contribute to the Philippine Business Sector Response to HIV and AIDS, a program that seeks to raise the Filipino workers’ awareness and knowledge of HIV and AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment by making information about the infection available in worksites nationwide.

Towards this goal, Shell and UNAIDS hosted a luncheon meeting on November 11, 2009 in Makati City where company executives participated in a discussion on how they, as business leaders, can introduce HIV/AIDS Workplace Programmes.  The event was conducted in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH), National Epidemiology Center (NEC), Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine National AIDS Council, International Labor Organization, United Nations Development Program, Philippine Business for Social Progress, and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.

“AIDS is everyone’s business.  We are aware that there are many companies that are doing great work on HIV and AIDS and we will be delighted to see more companies contribute to this cause.”  UNAIDS Country Coordinator Teresita Marie Bagasao stresses.

The Department of Health likewise pointed out that the rising number of HIV cases in the workforce makes it imperative for business to take action to prevent new infections in the labour sector.

To curb the rising trend in HIV infections, captains of industries are calling for wider business sector participation in HIV/AIDS prevention and control by instituting policies and programs in the workplace.  One of these is Amkor Technology, a semi-conductor outsourcing company, which have been conducting various workplace-based AIDS activities in 2003.  “Through the staunch support of Amkor’s top management, the company has, for one, designated and trained focal on HIV prevention,” relates Amkor Technology Director for HR on Employee Services and Community Engagement Lito Boado. He believes, “AIDS programs such as ours can be replicated by companies that are willing to help advocate for AIDS prevention."

The Philippine Business Sector Response to HIV and AIDS Program is also set to start training designated AIDS focal persons from various companies on the proper conduct of workplace orientation, counsel employees who think they may be at risk of contracting HIV, and refer them to the proper institutions for further help and advice.  Initially, the Program will run for two years and hopes to engage at least 50% of all companies in the National Capital Region with more than 500 employees.  Program partners hope that these companies, in turn, will extend their programs to their supply chains and help engage other companies within their networks.

“The business sector is also in a vantage position to set workplace policies which address stigma and discrimination attached to HIV and AIDS, and which help ensure that people living with HIV get the treatment, care and support they need,” Undersecretary Mario Villaverde of the Department of Health said.

If your company is interested to support the HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme, please contact the Program Secretariat c/o Philippine Business for Social Progress PSDC Bldg., Magallanes corner Real Sts., 1002 Intramuros, Manila (02)527-3747 to 48.

ENQUIRIES:
Roberto S. Kanapi
Vice President for Communications
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation
Tel. 63.2.8146303
Fax 63.2.8166153