BACOLOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--The Barangay Local Government of Mate here launched the Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program to raise awareness on the ill effects of dangerous drugs through an information drive, April 3.
Barangay Mate Chairperson Joel Bucol emphasized the importance of life and how drugs can tear families apart.
"Atong ipaabot sa tanang suok dinhe sa atong barangay kung unsa ka importante ang atong mga kinabuhi. Kinahanglan ato silang dasigon nga kinahanglan ato gyu’ng likayan ang droga. Kay ang droga wala gyu'y maayong sangputanan. Ang droga makabungkang sa pamilya, unya usa pa mahatag og problema dinhi sa atong barangay," he said.
(Let’s send the message to every corner of our barangay about how important our lives are. We need to encourage them to avoid drugs. Because drugs bring nothing. They will only harm our families and can cause problems in our barangay)
Meanwhile, Bacolod Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Buenafe Panoril shared that the LGU has programs for drug-affected individuals and families.
"Pinaagi sa amoang peace and order and public safety fund, bisan pa sa amoang drug abuse council nag-endorso ug resolution nga punduhan gyod sa munisipyo nga aduna nga adunani nga mga programa nga mosuporta ug mosustain sa atong mga affected families, affected individuals," he said.
(Through our Peace and Order and Public Safety Fund and also our Drug Abuse Council, we endorse a resolution that the municipality will fund this program to support and sustain the affected families and affected individuals)
Moreover, according to Bacolod's drug-cleared municipal focal person, Melanie Baciete, of the 16 barangays in the town, 12 are drug-cleared and 2 are unaffected.
"'Yung DSWD nagbibigay sila ng pangkabuhayan, mga program nila, mga puhunan. Kung hindi sila nakatapos ng high school, pwede sila pumasok sa ALS," she said.
(The Department of Social Welfare and Development gives them livelihood programs. Those who have not graduated from high school can enroll in the Alternative Learning System program)
Graduates of the town's Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Center (CBDRC), which helps drug addicts heal their bodies, minds, and souls through counseling and other therapeutic sessions, were also at the BIDA launch.
Mate also started a program called Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay, which encourages people to get involved in farming.Residents received free vegetable and fruit seeds. (CEC/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
