Be ‘BIDA’ champions – Abalos
On occasion of World Drug Day
IN line with the celebration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) or World Drug Day on June 26, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. Saturday called for a “whole-of-nation” approach in the fight against illegal drugs and urged the public to become “Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) Program champions within their communities.
“We have always emphasized that the war against illegal drugs cannot be won by the government alone; it requires a whole-of-nation approach with everyone’s participation. Tayo mismo sa ating mga pamayanan ang dapat na manguna sa laban na ito. On World Drug Day, let’s all be BIDA Champions,” Abalos said.
The DILG chief said that just like the BIDA Program, the celebration of IDADAIT 2023 seeks to strengthen action and cooperation against illegal drugs, highlighting collective participation among all stakeholders.
Through DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-088, Abalos urged LGUs (local government units) to coordinate with their respective local anti-drug abuse council to spearhead and participate in anti-illegal drug activities such as drug prevention awareness seminars; display and use the official IDADAIT poster and theme in their respective offices; production, distribution and/or sharing of information materials on anti-illegal drug programs and activities; and the usage of hashtags #WorldDrugDay and #IDADAITPH2023 during activities and for social media posts.
LGUs are also encouraged to participate in the series of fora organized by the DILG from June 26-29, 2023, which includes orientation on the accreditation of civil society organizations on anti-illegal drugs; forum on Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation (CBDR) good practices; forum on drug rehabilitation and interventions for persons deprived of liberty; and the launching of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council portal.
Likewise, Abalos also asked LGUs and DILG offices to conduct a pledge of commitment to the BIDA program and to the drug-free Philippines during the flag-raising ceremony.
As a member state of the United Nations (UN), the Philippines has celebrated the IDADAIT for 35 years since its institutionalization by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 264, s. 1988.
