New govt campaign vs illegal drugs out

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign was rolled out nationwide on Saturday.

The main event held at the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) was attended by over 2U,000 people who pledged to support the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign called “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA).”

According to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., the same event also took place at the Cebu Plaza Independencia, Cebu City; Xavier Ateneo Sports Center, Cagayan de Oro City; and People’s Park in Davao City.

Abalos said the BIDA Program involves local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, and other key sectors of the society that will focus more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities, aside from arrests.

“For all of us, the challenge is to dig deeper into the problem of illegal drugs. Here at the BIDA Program, all sectors, including those at the grassroots, will be constant partners of our law enforcement agencies led by the police,” the DILG chief said.

He 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.

“We can rid these illegal drugs if we all do our share and it’s not impossible,” said Abalos, a former Mandaluyong City lawmaker and mayor.

For those involved in the illegal drug trade, Abalos sent a strong message that they will be put behind bars.

“The law will be fully enforced this time, to have you detained and prosecuted,” he said.

On one 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 that will make them lead productive and drug-free lives.

The major activities at the QMC included Zumba, exhibit, walkathon, dance performances, unity pledge, and performances of BIDA ambassadors such as P-Pop, Quezon City Zumba Instructors, and Plethora.

The event was attended by thousands of people, including top government officials 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, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, National Capital Region Local Government Units, and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.