CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – As part of the Marcos administration’s thrust to continue the fight against illegal drugs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 joined in the simultaneous nationwide launching of ‘Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ (BIDA), an anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and other key sectors of the society, November 26.

“The war in drugs is not yet over, that is why we are here today to continue manifesting our full support in the campaign against illegal drugs, dahil sa problemang ito, hindi lamang ang gobyerno kung hindi tayo’ng lahat ang bida sa adbokasiyang ito (Because this problem doesn’t only involve the government but we are all involved in this advocacy),” DILG-10 Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko said.

Aimed toward the administration’s goal of solving the country’s illegal drug problem under the framework of the law and with respect for human rights, the BIDA advocacy campaign focuses on bolstering drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities, and the grassroots.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. in his virtual message disclosed that the BIDA program would serve as “a whole-of-nation approach” in addressing the root cause of the country’s illegal drug problem by empowering communities and individuals to counter the spread of illegal drugs.

Various barangays from Cagayan de Oro City, law enforcement agencies, and representatives from NGAs and LGUs attended the launching which kicked off with a Zumba session followed by a booth exhibit from NGAs showcasing their advocacies and programs in countering illegal drugs and in support of drug addiction rehabilitation and was capped off by the reading of a unity statement and signature of commitment from all stakeholders.

For their part, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy, and El Salvador Mayor Edgar S. Lignes on behalf of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia vowed their support for the campaign by building stronger partnerships between their respective local government units and the people.

“I would like to signify our full support to this administration’s BIDA program advocacy campaign, tungod kay nagatuo ako nga ang pagsumpo sa droga nagsugod gayud sa mga LGUs ug mga barangays through sakto nga mga programa. Maghinaot ako nga magkausa kita to support our administration nga masumpo kining problema sa droga,” Lignes shared.

[I would like to signify our full support to this administration's BIDA program advocacy campaign because I believe that the fight against drugs really starts in the LGUs and barangays through the right programs. I hope that together we will support our administration in fighting this drug problem) (VPSB/PIA-10)