QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The anti-illegal drugs campaign Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) rolled out in Marikina on December 10, 2022, by conducting three main activities to reflect its approach to the drug problem, which is to reduce demand, on the one hand, and disrupt supply, on the other.

For its first activity, they conducted “Padyak Kontra Droga,” a bike parade along a 13.5 km route around the city with bikers from the Marikina Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and riders from the youth sector of Marikina City.

This was followed by a program with around 300 participants from the 16 barangays, Marikina Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), Marikina Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), the Marikina PNP, BJMP, BFP, and a number of partner NGOs.

Joining the activity were: Marikina City Vice Mayor Doc Marion Andres, Councilor Rommel Acuña, SK Federation President Jonas Reyes, Marikina Police Chief PCol. Earl Castillo COP, Fire Marshall FSupt. Rae Sumedca, BJMP JSupt. Marizen Sese, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn Baltazar-Cortez, CESO V, and DILG Marikina Officer-in-Charge Christianne Millabas.

Highlighting the program were the: (a) Recognition of the Most functional Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), Acknowledgement of the contributions of the BADAC Focal Persons, and citations involving revalidated drug-cleared barangays, (b) Forging of Partnership agreements between the partners of MADAC and PNP Marikina, and (c) General manifestation of commitment to fight illegal drugs use and abuse among key players in the anti-illegal drug campaign.

The activity also served as showcase of products made by BJMP PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty).

Also participating in the activity were enrollees in the Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP), a contingent from the TESDA PaMaMariSan (a technical and vocational training program), and a demonstration team on Basic Life Support from the BFP Marikina. (dilg/pia-ncr)