(Manila, Philippines)  The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will intensify its campaign against HIV/AIDS in workplaces amid rising cases of the fatal disease in the past few years.

This developed as Malacañang denied yesterday that the government was behind the distribution of condoms for Valentine’s Day at the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila.

The condoms, provided by private manufacturers, were distributed for free at Dangwa yesterday by a team led by Dr. Eric Tayag, head of the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health (DOH).

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said he has directed the Occupational Safety and Health Center to strengthen its awareness program by “reaching out and informing workers of the dangers of risky behaviors in the workplace that may lead to HIV/AIDS infection.”

Roque also urged companies and establishments to set up “a strong and comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy and program that will deal with both prevention and elimination of discrimination of persons with HIV/AIDS.”

See the full article on philstar.com.