The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched in Manila today, October 7, 2022 a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and other key sectors of the society that will focus more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation.
DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. said the anti-illegal drugs campaign dubbed as “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” or BIDA Program is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. administration’s commitment to continue the campaign against illegal drugs “within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and with focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development.”
He said the BIDA advocacy program banks on the best practices of the past DILG programs against illegal drugs and now focuses on combatting the problem via demand reduction.
“The war on drugs is like a tree. Kailangan tanggalin natin ang ugat ng puno — unemployment, lack of education, the family, lahat ito para mapababa natin ang demand,” Abalos said.
An offshoot of the previous BIDA ang may Disiplina Program, BIDA calls for the support of local government units, partner government agencies, local stakeholders, and organizations to effectively advocate drug demand reduction to all sectors of the community.
“We urge the different government agencies, the church, the school, private organizations, let us help one another on this war against drugs. Magtulungan tayo, lalo na ang kabataan. Magkaisa tayo. Labanan natin lahat ng social ills,” Abalos said.
“By raising awareness and encouraging participation from all sectors of the community in drug demand reduction, we can address the perennial problem of illegal drugs which threatens peace and order and cause crimes in communities,” he added.
The DILG Chief said BIDA specifically aims to strengthen institutions in the implementation of drug reduction activities, encourage multi-sectoral participation, secure commitments from national government agencies and partner organizations, and raise awareness through information, education, and communication materials.
During the launch, a memorandum of undertaking on the BIDA program was signed by partner national agencies and key stakeholders. The event was a hybrid of face-to-face and teleconferencing.
Present during the event are DILG officials, local chief executives from the National Capital Region, key stakeholders from the sectors of health, justice, national defense, finance, labor and employment, social welfare and development, foreign affairs, and education.
Likewise, the heads of the Commission on Higher Education, Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Commission on Indigenous People, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also graced the event.
In attendance from the religious sector were heads of different churches and faith-based groups. The heads of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, the League of Cities of the Philippines, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the Liga ng Mga Barangay and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) also attended the program.
Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-launches-National-BIDA-Program-vs-illegal-drugs/NC-2022-1162