NORTHERN Mindanao’s interior and local government department and police regional office intensified their anti-illegal drugs campaign after a new anti-drug advocacy program launched in the region Friday.
The new campaign dubbed “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (Bida) program will even prioritize human rights and will work "within the framework of the law.”
“With the Bida Program, we will promote health and wellness; and of course, we will further encourage multi-sectoral participation,” said DILG-10 regional director Wilhelm Suyko, adding that they want to raise awareness on the ill effects of dangerous drugs.
Over Lambo Dyes radio program, Suyko said that the foundation of the Bida program will be on rehabilitation and socio-economic development of drug-dependent individuals.
“As a nationwide project, the program will require the participation of all agencies of the government and will even include the religious sector,” said Suyko.
According to the DILG, it is encouraging the public to become advocates of its Bida anti-drug program to help put an end to the country’s illegal drug problem.
An earlier statement made by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos encouraged the public to join them in the grand launch of the Bida Program.
“Let us all work together and be the prime movers in the fights against illegal drugs,” said Abalos adding that the bright future of the youth is that to be free from illegal drugs.
Bida Program is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local government units, national government agencies, and other key sectors of society that will focus more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities underscoring the role of drug enforcement agencies including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation and others.
Abalos said the illegal drug problem is a deep-seated issue that has continued to destroy relationships, families, and the future of the youth, adding that it is high time for all sectors of society to make a stand and do their part through the Bida program.
Since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed office in July this year, the PNP’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs resulted in the confiscation of some P9.7 billion worth of various illegal drugs confiscated and the arrest of 22,646 drug personalities in 18,505 anti-illegal drug operations nationwide.
Abalos said the anti-drugs campaign under the Marcos administration pioneers a different approach that will work “within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and with focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development.”
“With the Bida Program, we want to raise awareness on the ill effects of dangerous drugs, and we will further encourage multi-sectoral participation,” said Suyko.
The regional director also explained that the program focuses on preventing the propagation, manufacture, and use of illegal drugs.
He further shared that, as a nationwide project, the program will require the participation of all agencies of the government and will even include the religious sector.
Activities that are planned to be provided are caravans, bike runs, fun runs, seminars, and symposiums on the avoidance of illegal drugs up to the local government’s declaration of its drug-free status.
These activities will vary and depend on the needs and preferences of the different provinces and municipalities.
“Kung titingnan natin, ang Bida ay magbibigay ng holistic na approach sa ating kampanya, and that is the beauty of working together toward our common goal. At the end of the day, isa lang nama ang ating gusto, ang magkaroon tayo ng drug-free Philippines,” said Suyko. (With a report from PIA-10)
