Different government offices and stakeholders in the Visayas have joined forces with the DILG-7 to encourage the public to become staunch advocates in weeding out illegal drugs during the simultaneous launch of Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program on Saturday morning, November 26, 2022.
DILG-7 in partnership with its attached agencies, local government units, some government offices, and private groups launched the flagship campaign against illegal drugs for the Visayas Cluster at the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City.
The participating partners were PRO 6 and 7; PDEA-7; DepEd; DOH-7; Napolcom-7; Tesda; DSWD; Philippine Information Agency; Philippine Coast Guard Visayas; DDB; BJMP; BFP; PSA; AFP; the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu City; Batang Kaparis ni Rizal; Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce; Safehaven Rehabilitation Cebu; and Maharlika Marcos Loyalist (MML).
BIDA promotes a whole-of-nation approach in advocating and helping the government end the country’s illegal drug problem. It puts a premium on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities and underscores the role of drug enforcement agencies and other concerned government offices. The launch was undertaken simultaneously nationwide.
Other venues were in Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre in Cagayan de Oro City, and People’s Park in Davao City.SILG Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., who was at the Quezon City launching, said that 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.
“Sa ating lahat, ang hamon ay ugatin natin ang problema ng droga. Dito sa BIDA, hindj lang kapulisan at iba pang law enforcement units ang kikilos, hanggang grassroots kasama natin dapat dito,” he said.
In Cebu City, BIDA campaign took off with a Bike Out, Fun Run, Zumba session and Motorcade, followed by a program at the Plaza Independencia. It was graced by DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, Asec. Frank Cruz, Asec Ester Aldana, DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, DILG-8 Director Arnel Agabe, DILG-7 provincial directors Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero and Jerome Gonzales, city directors Jonah Pino, Johnjoan Mende, and Neila Aquino, and heads of different government offices.
Usec. Iringan in his speech emphasized the importance of the role of private sectors and public sectors in the fight against illegal drugs.
“Pangarap po natin ang tahimik at mapayapang lugar… Ito ay laban ng lahat, a whole of nation approach. Tinitingnan natin ang partisipasyon ng private sectors at talaga namang malaki ang role nila lalo na sa pagbibigay ng livelihood program sa sumasailalim sa rehabilitation program,” he said.
The crowd was wowed by the appearance of online icon Berto Plando, Jr., known as “Berta” who used to be a street dweller, as he took the opportunity to inspire others during the launch by sharing his traumatic experience using illicit drugs.BIDA ambassadors Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games medalist Andrew Kim Remolino and Nino Surban, and beauty queen Kris Tiffany Janson gave their message of support. LGUs that were recently declared drug-free were also recognized.The Visayas launching capped off with the attendees signing a unity statement to express their commitment to carrying out the BIDA program’s objectives in their respective jurisdictions.
