The organization of Local AIDS Council cum Basic Orientation of STI, STD, HIV & AIDS was conducted on November 24, 2011 at the Bay Plaza Hotel, Pagadian City. This project is supported by the UNDP-DILG thru the LGA programme “Promoting Leadership ang Mitigating the Negative Impacts of HIV and AIDS on Human Development”.

Invitations were sent to the municipalities of Guipos, Margosatubig, Molave and Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur. A total of seventeen (17) participants attended the training that included the MHO, Public Health Nurse, Municipal Midwife, MLGOOs, SK Federation President, High School Principals, Religious Groups, NGO and other local officials.

During the Opening Program, Pedro G. Cuevas, Jr., Assistant Regional Director, DILG IX, represented Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, with a welcome remarks. He came prepared with some fresh news on HIV and AIDS from newspapers.

Resource persons that were invited came to the activity before the opening program. The resource person from LGA, Patrick Omar B. Erestain, Program Manager and Coordinator of Effective Leadership for Sustained Responses to HIV and AIDS likewise arrived on time before the program. Other speakers are from the City Health Office, Pagadian City, from DOH-CHD the RAAT, from the DILG Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office, and a staff from the DILG-LGCDD, the DSWD RAAT failed to be in the training, her topic on Psychosocial Care and Services particularly the Referral System was discussed by the DILG RAAT who is a registered Social Worker.

Participants attended the whole day activity. Some participants raised questions and comments on the discussions, but these was taken cared of by the resource persons. Ice breakers came in the form of group physical exercise and simple wildfire about ones sexualit. Few participants declined to express the “wildfire” in themselves.

The Closing Program started as scheduled and Abcede H. Asjali, Provincial Director, DILG Zamboanga del Sur supported the program with his closing message sharing some experiences he had on the program.

Participants, resource persons and guests enjoyed the photo opportunities. Copy of the CD Localizing the HIV and AIDS Response was distributed to LGUs.