SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), spearheaded the launching of the "Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan" or BIDA program, held at the city plaza here on February 3.
PNP Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) Director John Chua, along with City Mayor Hermenegildo Gualberto and other officials led the activity.
The BIDA program is a more intensified and holistic approach against illegal drugs.
It would raise the public awareness on the harmful effects of illegal drugs, and empower and enjoin the people to be one in this campaign.
“If we are able to succeed in ending the local communist armed conflict which is anchored on the whole-of-nation approach, ganun din po ang estratehiya na gagawin natin sa BIDA,” Sermonia said.
He added, “Magsama-sama po tayo para maging BIDA laban sa iligal na droga.”
A unity walk and Zumba kicked off the roll-out early Friday morning.
Around 2,000 representatives of various national government agencies, local government units, advocacy groups, as well as students of different colleges and a university participated in the activity.
Various booths were also established to feature the local products of La Union and Pangasinan, and to offer the government services for the people like free medical check-ups, legal consultations and processing of police clearance, among others.
Aside from serbisyo-publiko, an information booth on the PNP recruitment process was also put up.
Further, chosen beneficiaries were given wheelchairs under the “Gulong ng Suerte” program of the La Union Police Provincial Office. (JCR/AMB/CGRC, PIA Region 1)
