April 17, 2023
Extending the government’s fight against illegal drugs in the sporting arena, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. announced tonight its partnership with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in carrying out the goal of the Department’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program.
“The partnership of DILG and PBA will not only strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs, but will also send out a message to the PBA teams, players and fans, that the league is against and will not tolerate the adverse effects of illegal drugs,” Abalos said.
“We are aware that this is the first time, since its inception, that the PBA joined hands with the government in the fight against illegal drugs kaya una na po ang aming pasasalamat,” he added.
Abalos said in a press conference held during the third quarter of Game 4 of the PBA Governor’s Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang Gilas that the government banks on the massive influence of basketball to Filipinos, especially the youth, in communicating BIDA’s objective.
“BIDA is not only focused on supply reduction but is also centered on demand reduction. Usually, nakafocus ang mga pushers at suppliers sa mga bata. Sa basketball, kids have their idols. Whatever their idols do, susundin ng mga bata. We have to set a good example for our youth – napakalaking bagay if the players and the league themselves make a stand, saying that they are against illegal drugs” the Secretary added.
He likewise emphasized the indispensable role of sports as a deterrent against the use of illegal drugs. “With this partnership, we expect to promote and advocate for sports as an effective solution to prevent the youth from subscribing to illegal drugs.”
The DILG Chief said that through this collaboration, made official through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the PBA is expected to upscale its drug testing initiatives in accordance with Republic Act No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” among its players and staff.
Under the said MOA, PBA players will also sport the BIDA program logo on their jerseys during PBA-sanctioned games and disseminate campaign collaterals and advocacy materials in an effort to increase awareness towards its widespread national platform regarding the dangers of illegal drugs.
“’Whole-of-nation’ has always been our battle cry in the government’s fight against illegal drugs and in the implementation of BIDA. Nagpapasalamat kami sa PBA for answering the call and for joining us in this fight,” he said.
PBA Chairman Ricky P. Vargas and League Commissioner Willie O. Marcial also presided over the formalization of the partnership through the signing of the MOA which they hoped would spark and reinvigorate the message of the BIDA program by leveraging the league’s audience and nationwide reach.
“Dito sa PBA, nadaanan namin yung maraming krisis sa drugs, pero hindi namin binitawan. Katulad ng BIDA, we look at all the ways people get into illegal drugs and how they can be drug-free,” Vargas said.
“We in the PBA believe in the process of recovery and reformation. I am pleased to tell you that in the last 6 years, the league has been drug-free. Kasama kami sa BIDA, dahil naniniwala kami sa BIDA,” he added.
Abalos also stated that this partnership between the DILG and the PBA will serve as a springboard for the BIDA Workplace, a planned congregation of private companies that aims to strengthen the campaign’s directive by formulating independent drug policies.
He likewise praised the independent efforts of the PBA in maintaining a drug-free working environment. “I would like to commend the efforts of the PBA in their intervention and preventive initiatives. Rest assured that with this collaboration, we will be able to take our advocacy to new heights.”
Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-extends-BIDA-program-fight-vs-illegal-drugs-in-basketball-thru-inaugural-partnership-with-PBA/NC-2023-1057