Thousands of people pledged to give their all-out support to the government’s new anti-illegal drugs campaign dubbed as Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) during its nationwide simultaneous grand launching today at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City; Cebu Plaza Independencia, Cebu City; Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre, Cagayan de Oro City; and People’s Park in Davao City.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. said the BIDA Program is 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 in the communities coupled with arrests.
“Sa ating lahat, ang hamon ay ugatin natin ang problema ng droga. Dito sa BIDA, hindi lang kapulisan at iba pang law enforcement units ang kikilos, hanggang grassroots kasama natin dapat dito,” he said.
Abalos said the key to the success of BIDA is the support of the communities and the people themselves who should reject and say no to illegal drugs and report the drug activities in their areas to the authorities.
“Ang problema ng droga ay problema ng buong mundo kahit ng mga first-world countries. Mahirap ito sugpuin pero walang imposible kung sama-sama tayo,” he said.
For those involved in the illegal drugs trade, Abalos sent a strong message that they will be put behind bars. “Sa mga nagtutulak, ipapakulong namin kayo. Ipapatupad namin ang batas at pupunuin ang mga kulungan ng mga katulad n’yo na sumisira sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan at ng mga pamilya,” he said.
On the other hand, for those who want to turn over a new leaf, Abalos assured the government is ready to help them through drug rehabilitation and livelihood training programs to help them lead productive and drug-free lives.
“Lahat tayo, magtulungan, iyan ang hinihingi namin. Life is truly worth living. Say no to drugs at maging BIDA tayong lahat laban sa iligal na droga,” he said.
Among the major activities at the QC venue are zumba, exhibit, walkathon, dance performances, unity pledge, and performances of BIDA ambassadors such as PPop Generation, Quezon City Zumba Instructors, and Plethora.
Said event was attended by around 25,000 people including VIPs and contingents from the DILG, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Police Commission, National Commission of Muslim Filipinos, National Youth Commission, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Iglesia ni Cristo, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Metro Manila Development Authority, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, National Capital Region Local Government Units, and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.
Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILGs-BIDA-grand-launch-gathers-thousands-Abalos-calls-for-nationwide-support-vs-illegal-drugs/NC-2022-1195