Decades of presence of the US naval base in Subic made Olongapo City known as a destination for rest and recreation and, subsequently, contentiously brought in an environment of risky sexual behaviours, thus, the label "Sin City."
Even long after the military bases were gone, cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV and AIDS, became critical public health concerns and the city government grappled for solutions to halt the further spread of the diseases and, at the same time, alter the image of the city.
Recognizing the issue at hand, the city government developed a comprehensive prevention programme on STIs, including HIV, and passed appropriate legislation to integrate into the health card system a STI and HIV information and education programme for workers in food and entertainment establishments.
A fully equipped and functional Social Hygiene Clinic of the City Health Office (CHO) provided relevant services, including laboratory tests, to all health card holders. With the support of UNFPA, the city government implemented the HIV prevention strategy within the city's reproductive health programme. Everyone applying for work in food and entertainment establishments is now mandated to undergo HIV 101 class. The class teaches participants about STIs, HIV and AIDS, and how they can prevent getting infected. The lecture focuses on modes of transmission, recognizing early symptoms, correcting myths and misconceptions, treatment, care and support.
A partnership between the CHO and bar owners paved the way for the establishment of the Association of Bar Owners (ABO). The organization promoted 100 per cent condom use among sex workers, monitored STI cases and conducted reproductive health lectures in efforts to prevent infections.
The programme also involved the local NGO Buklod ng Kababaihan to ensure that freelance sex workers are covered by the programme. The NGO specifically worked for access to health and social services to protect freelancers from sexually transmitted infections.
In the experience of Olongapo City, acknowledging the socioeconomic and public health repercussions of sex tourism proved an important factor in effectively providing essential health services, specifically in understanding the critical behaviour and needs of underserved and marginalized groups.
Results of behavioural surveys among entertainment establishment owners and workers have shown improved attitudes towards the prevention campaign. Health card applicants felt they were not just beneficiaries but also partners in the HIV prevention programme. Cases of STIs regularly monitored by the CHO have been on a downtrend since the programme started in 2008. From 124 cases of infections in 2008, the figure dropped to 100 in 2009 and to 80 in 2010. Recorded HIV cases went down from 16 in the period 2000-2006 to five in the period 2007-2010.
