June 26, 2023
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr. takes his anti-illegal drugs campaign down south as he led the regional rollout of the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program in SOCCSKSARGEN early Saturday morning.
Some 8,000 people representing the different sectors of society gathered at the Capitol Grounds to express their support for the program and joined Abalos in the BIDA fun run in Alabel, Sarangani.
With the DILG Secretary were former senator and SarGen BIDA Ambassador Manny Pacquiao and Sarangani Governor Rogelio Pacquiao who both completed the three-kilometer run.
In his keynote speech, Abalos echoed his previous call on the whole-of-nation approach to address the illegal drug menace in the region and the country.
“Sa bawat sampu na nakukulong sa illegal drugs, tatlo ay babalik at makukulong ulit. Ang gagawin natin ay tutulungan natin ang ating mga kapulisan, ang PDEA, ang AFP, ang NAPOLCOM.”
The event was also highlighted by the awarding of winners for the “DrawGa” mural painting contest; the pledge of stakeholder support; and colored water spray.
After the fun run, Abalos and the other officials graced the groundbreaking ceremony of the new west wing of the General Santos City Hall and the ceremonial burying of the time capsule led by Mayor Lorelei G. Pacquiao.
Also present during the BIDA event were Representatives Loreto Acheron and Steve C. Solon, General Santos City Mayor Lorelei Pacquiao, Alabel Municipal Mayor Vic Paul M. Salarda, DILG Undersecretaries Lord Villanueva and Margarita Gutierrez, Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Lopez de Leon, Regional Director Josephine Cabrido- Leysa, and DILG Sarangani Provincial Director Samuel Camaganacan, among others.
A day before the regional BIDA launch, Abalos met with Philippine National Police Regional Office XII Regional Director PBGen. Jimili Macaraeg to tackle possible interventions for peace and order issues in the region such as illegal drugs, RIDO, rape or VAWC cases, among others.
Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-Pacquiaos-lead-BIDA-rollout-and-fun-run-in-SOCCSKSARGEN-over-8K-vow-support-for-BIDA/NC-2023-1106