CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10 hosted a fun run for a cause dubbed Dagan Kontra Iligal na Droga on July 28, here, as part of the agency’s advocacy campaign against illegal drugs.
With the starting and finish lines at the Kiosko Kagawasan, Plaza Divisoria, runners and running enthusiasts joined in the campaign, including some personnel from government agencies, law enforcement officers, families with their children, and some fur babies.
PDEA Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Benjamin Gaspi said this activity raises awareness about the ill-effects of illegal drugs and encourages the public to be watchful of illegal drug-related activities in their communities and report them to the proper authorities.
He said the impact of this government campaign against illegal drugs is beautiful and that there were more than 1,000 runners who joined in the fun run.
“Napakahalaga na lahat ng tao may involvement sa programa ng gobyerno laban sa iligal na droga. Dito, naipapahayag natin na lahat ng tao ay kailangang iwaksi ang kanser ng lipunan-ang ilegal na droga,” Gaspi said.
(It is very important that everyone is involved in our government’s program against illegal drugs. Here, we can convey to everyone that we need to cure the cancer of society—illegal drugs.)
Gaspi continued that he is happy to know that among the runners are families with their children, for it means that they already know the program against illegal drugs and that this is everybody’s concern.
He also expressed his thanks to fellow law enforcement personnel and other government workers who joined the said run.
The run, which started and finished at the iconic Kiosko Kagawasan, brought people together and ran through the scenic Rio de Oro Boulevard. Runners were also treated to raffle draws and colorful zumba sessions.
Reymond Abanilla, founder of Jaguars Running Club, said they joined the Dagan Kontra Iligal na Droga to promote active wellness and support PDEA’s advocacy in the fight against illegal drugs.
“Mostly sa among club puro mga batan-on. Tsada pud nga ma-engage sila sa running kaysa sa ilegal nga drugs o ilegal nga mga binuhatan. We want to inspire others to engage in any physical activity, focusing more on healthy living, healthy lifestyle,” said Abanilla.
(Most members of our club are young. It’s nice that they engage in running rather than doing illegal drugs or illegal acts. We want to inspire others to engage in any physical activity, focusing more on healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.)
Abanilla urges the youth to engage in different sports or anything else that inspires them to stay away from illegal drugs. (SAYU/PIA-10)
