September 11, 2023

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial Government of Bulacan brought the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) advocacy program to Bulacan communities through the 21-kilometer BIDA B.I.K.E.R.S. (Bawal na gamot ay Iwasan, Magandang Kalusugan, Ehersisyo ay ReSponsibilidad Ko) run on Sunday morning.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos and Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando led around 3,000 BIDA bikers during the early morning launch of BIDA held at the Bulacan Sports Complex in Malolos, which was one of the highlights of the province’s Singkaban Festival.

Abalos stressed the role of each sector of the society in this whole-of-nation approach that focuses more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation alongside law enforcement operations.

“Ang BIDA na pinangungunahan ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation approach, and this is the Filipino way. Mananalo tayo sa laban na ito dahil tayo ay family oriented, nagtutulungan, at maka-Diyos,” he said.

The DILG Secretary said BIDA also includes efforts from other government agencies and stakeholders such as the Department of Trade and Industry’s livelihood programs, Department of Labor and Employment’s employment programs; and the BIDA Workplace program of the private sector for their employees.

“Ang bawat isa sa atin ay may mahalagang papel para sa tagumpay ng BIDA. Ito ay laban nating lahat para sa mga anak natin, laban para sa kinabukasan nila, at laban ng ating bayan,” he said.

In response, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando said, “Sa tulong ng BIDA, hinihimok natin ang bawat isa na maging kabahagi ng solusyon sa iligal na droga hanggang ang lahat ng 569 barangays ng probinsiya sa Bulacan ay maging drug-free na,” he said.

Also part of the event were drug testing, Zumba, Talakayan and Kumustahan with the Liga ng mga Punong Bayan of Bulacan province.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-and-Bulacan-Provincial-Govt-launch-BIDA-BIKERS/NC-2023-1155