On April 27, 2026, the DSWD Field Office Caraga successfully conducted the 1st Quarter Regional AIDS Assistance Team (RAAT) Virtual Meeting, bringing together representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), City Health Offices, and various civil society organizations.

The meeting marked the start of the RAAT’s collaborative efforts for 2026 by providing a venue for member agencies to share their priority programs, planned activities, and initiatives for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIVs). Participants also discussed strategies to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and align interventions toward a more responsive and coordinated regional HIV and AIDS program.

A significant part of the meeting was the orientation on DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-009, which outlines the updated roles and responsibilities of Local Government Units (LGUs) in implementing the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018. The discussion reinforced the importance of empowering LGUs to establish effective local mechanisms, enhance policy implementation, and ensure that HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services are accessible to those who need them most.

The meeting served as an important opportunity to renew the commitment of government agencies and partner organizations to work together in promoting inclusive, rights-based, and stigma-free communities. By fostering stronger partnerships at the beginning of the year, the RAAT continues to pave the way for a more coordinated and impactful regional response to HIV and AIDS in Caraga.