CRC/C/15/Add.259 page 16 65. In the light of the Committee’s general comment No. 3 (2003) on HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child and the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (E/CN.4/1997/37), the Committee recommends that the State party continue to: (a) Strengthen its efforts to implement the AIDS Prevention and Control Act in order to prevent and treat the effects of HIV/AIDS; (b) Prevent discrimination against children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, for example by implementing the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998 prohibiting any form of discriminatory act, and ensure these children have access to adequate social and health services; (c) Provide adolescents with accurate and comprehensive information about HIV/AIDS, including condom use, in schools; (d) Ensure access to child-sensitive and confidential HIV/AIDS counselling without parental consent when required by a child; (e) Seek technical assistance from, among others, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Standard of living 66. The Committee notes with concern the high number of children living in households below the national poverty line and the wide disparities in wealth between different regions. The Committee is deeply concerned about difficulties faced by children living in poverty, as to the enjoyment of their human rights, including access to social and health services and education. The Committee is also concerned about the poor housing situation in the State party and families living, for example in urban slums and squatter communities without adequate infrastructure. 67. In accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party take urgent efforts to raise the standard of living among its rural and urban population living in poverty, inter alia, through implementing a poverty reduction strategy and community development, including the participation of children. The Committee requests the State party to increase its efforts to provide material assistance and support to economically disadvantaged children and their families. Moreover, the State party should ensure that children living in poverty are provided with access to social and health services, education and adequate housing. 6. Education, leisure and cultural activities Education 68. The Committee takes note of the State party’s efforts to improve the standard and aims of education, including by implementing the new school curricula for elementary and secondary schools, and the curriculum for early childhood, the Education for All Programme of Action and the Child-friendly School System, in collaboration with UNICEF. Notwithstanding these positive steps taken, the Committee remains gravely concerned that there still remain barangays which are not able to provide children with elementary education and there are several