By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Describing 2023 as a prolific year for the country’s anti-drug efforts of the Marcos Jr. administration, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday vowed that the BIDA (Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan) Program will only get bigger in the years to come as it reaches the grassroots level.
Launched late 2022, Maharlika NuMedia gathered the DILG’s BIDA Program is an intensified campaign against illegal drugs focused on the reduction of drug demand through a “grassroots approach” using a multi-sectoral approach to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs by focusing on three pillars: (1) prevention; (2) law enforcement; at (3) penology, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
Abalos said the DILG’s holistic anti-drug campaign reached 15 regions of the country with over 230,000 individuals participating in different BIDA-related activities in 2023.
“Sa nakalipas na taon, naging bagong mukha ng kampanya kontra iligal na droga ang ating BIDA Program,” he said.
Abalos credited the DILG’s personnel, and offices including local government units (LGUs), private sector partners, and other stakeholders for expanding the BIDA Program’s reach in the first year of its implementation.
“Thanks to your efforts, we have conducted BIDA Fun Runs, training programs, Serbisyo Caravans, and other BIDA activities in 15 regions across the country involving various sectors,” the DILG chief said.
He disclosed that the DILG signed strategic partnerships with more than 30 big business establishments, major sports organizations, and entertainment giants to promote the BIDA Program and raise awareness about the ill effects of illegal drugs.
“We are definitely off to a good start. We were able to bring the spirit of BIDA down to our communities in just over a year since its launch,” Abalos stressed.
He added: “Asahan po ninyo na magpapatuloy at lalo pang palalakasin ang kampanyang ito sa tulong ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan.”
(El Amigo/MNM)
