DAPITAN CITY (PIA) – To acknowledge and celebrate the fruits of their effort in the fight against illegal drugs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) held its awarding ceremony for the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA): Caravan sa Rehiyon Nueve on August 30 at Dapitan City’s Cultural and Sports Center.
A year-long advocacy program aiming to raise awareness and increase participation in the anti-illegal-drug campaign, BIDA was launched on May 6 earlier this year within Zamboanga Peninsula at Dapitan City, one of the heritage goldmines of the region.
According to Elmer Egama, Assistant Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief, BIDA’s launching in Dapitan also serves as a commemoration of National Heritage Month in May.
Throughout its run in the city, the program has conducted a series of multifaceted activities such as lectures and seminars on illegal drugs, and informative exhibits showcasing the best practices of the local anti-drug abuse council.
Other activities, specifically tailored to effectively involve and engage the youth, include trendy Tiktok Challenges to the BIDA song, sayaw BIDA neon contest, and a short-film-making competition. Other competitions were also held for mural painting as well as a drum and lyre contest.
On the morning of the awarding ceremony, the City of Dapitan organized a fun run as a testament of the city's strong commitment to combating illegal drugs through physical activities.
During his welcoming speech, Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos underscored the importance of protecting one’s heritage as it adds character to the community, hence proving a sense of identity.
He also emphasized that all this can only be achieved through a healthy society free of the demand and supply of illegal drugs.
Mayor Jalosjos also expressed that their BIDA programs, focusing on arts, culture, and sports, are all aimed at honoring the enduring legacy left behind by the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal.
“If Rizal were alive today, what would he think of Dapitan?” Mayor Jalosjos asked. (KSA/RVC/PJF/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)
