BAGUIO CITY(PIA)- – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies brought the BIDA (Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan) advocacy campaign to Cordillera stakeholders in line with the government’s continuing campaign to ensure illegal drug – free, safe and secured communities.
The BIDA caravan held at the Baguio Cultural and Convention Center on November 18, 2023 was attended by hundreds of representatives from national government agencies, private institutions, barangays and civil society organizations.
Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Earl Saavedra, in his keynote message, bared that the Philippine Anti – illegal Drug Strategy or PADS- from law enforcement, demand reduction up to rehabilitation and reintegration of persons who use drugs- is gaining ground in terms of accomplishments and support from the local and the international communities.
“Sa ipinatutupad na Philippine Anti – Illegal Drugs Strategy o PADS na pinangungunahan ng DDB, nakikita po ng komyunidad, partners at ibat – ibang sector ang mga ipinatutupad na mga programa, proyekto at serbisyo upang labanan ang illegal na droga. Noon at hanggang ngayon ang hangad natin ay maisakatuparan ang pagbubuo ng safe and secured communities,” Saavedra said.
DDB USEC Earl Saavedra provides an overview of the Philippine Anti-illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) and enjoins Cordillera stakeholders to support in pushing for illegal drug – free communities in the country. (CCD/PIA CAR)
He shared that the country was recently elected in the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug matters or ASOD to lead the Treatment and Rehabilitation Cluster while the UN Office on Drugs and Crime affirmed its support for the enhancement of the concept, model and mechanism of the country’s Community Based Drug Rehabilitation program.
Through the BIDA caravan, Saavedra called for continuing partnership with Cordillera stakeholders for a whole – of – nation approach in pushing for an illegal drug- free Philippines.
“Itong significant accomplishments ay patunay na tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang ating kampanya laban sa iligal na droga at sa bawat hakbang na ating ginagawa ay kasama po ang bawat isa sa inyo. Patuloy nawa ang inyong pakikibahagi sa importanteng hakbang na ito. Kayang – kaya kung sama – sama. Tandaan BIDA Ka!,” he said.
The BIDA program is an intensified and more holistic campaign of the DILG together with national line agencies and local government units in eradicating illegal drugs and its harmful effects.
Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values National Director Nathaniel Sakiban and officials from the Police Regional and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Cordillera joined Saavedra in the townhall meeting.
Affirming their support to the country’s anti – illegal drug campaign, the officials and participants signed the BIDA Unity Statement.
Meanwhile, Saavedra with DILG – CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose and other members of the Regional Management Coordination Committee also led the recognition of the 2023 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards regional winners.
DILG officials and partners award the plaque of recognition and ceremonial cheque of P20,000 to the Local Peace Council of barangay Poblacion, Luna, Apayao as Best Performing Lupong Tagapamayapa for 1st-3rd Class Municipalities. (CCD/PIA CAR)
Leading the awardees for Best Performing Lupong Tagapamayapa were Barangay Irisan of Baguio City for the Highly Urbanized City category; Barangay Poblacion of Luna, Apayao for 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities, and Barangay Ambassador of Tublay, Benguet for the 4th to 6th class municipalities.
Winners of the BIDA On-the-Spot poster making and Creative Short Film contests were also awarded during the program that started with a Zumba dance exercise. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
