EL SALVADOR CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Benjamin Abalos, Jr., today urged the cooperation of all government agencies and encouraged multi-sectoral participation for the realization of the national government’s anti-illegal drugs advocacy program dubbed "Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan" (BIDA).
The direction was delivered during his visit to the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 BIDA Roll-out and Caravan in relation to the PNP’s revitalized Kapulisan, Simbahan, at the Pamayanan (KASIMBAYANAN) program.
About 1,000 people from government agencies, the PNP, and partner organizations came together and took part in the fair's different activities, such as the motorcade caravan, fun walk, bike ride, and Zumba.
Intensifying efforts against illegal drugs
Abalos also thanked the police and told them to keep up their fight against illegal drugs. He reminded them of his recent request that senior police officials resign out of courtesy after members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were arrested during recent operations.
He asked the police to enforce the law and arrest drug peddlers, even if they were high-profile personalities.
Abalos also said the key to the success of the BIDA is everyone's support and participation in addressing the root causes by giving communities more power, getting them involved in anti-illegal drug activities, educating the public about the bad effects of drugs to stop drug use, and removing the stigma of drug addiction at the community level.
"The war on drugs is like a tree. Kailangan tanggalin natin ang ugat ng puno. We urge the different government agencies, the church, the school, and private organizations let us help one another on this war against drugs. Magtulungan tayo, magkaisa tayo. Labanan natin lahat ng social ills," Abalos said.
Focusing on DILG's goal to prioritize and advocate for safer communities, Abalos made sure that DILG-10 would be there to help strengthen the BIDA program and said that it would support the PNP and other agencies in keeping peace and order.
UNITY for safer communities
PRO 10 Regional Director PBGen Lawrence B. Coop gave his full support to the government's plan to end the drug problem in the country and make sure that corruption and drugs don't take root in any institution's halls of power.
Also present were Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs and Communication (USEC) Lawyer Margarita N. Gutierrez and DILG 10 Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko, who served as guests of honor during the event.
These activities form part of the department’s priority directives, which included the fast-tracking and intensification of efforts for greater peace and development, and increased collaboration between local government units, national government agencies (NGAs), and other key sectors of society on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in communities coupled with arrests. (DILG-10/PIA-10)
