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DRUG-FREE DILG

June 3, 2023 Joel dela Torre 194 views

LOCAL Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the random drug-testing on various attached government agencies of DILG would be an affirmation that the DILG family deserves to be a role model in the fight against illegal drugs.

Abalos cited the importance of this approach as part of the government’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program.

Among the attached agencies of the DILG include the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).

“We’re going to implement this dahil napaka-importante nito. For the longest time ang focus ng ating drug campaign any supply reduction. So through the BIDA program, we will now address the demand side of the problem,” the DILG chief said during the launching of BIDA Sportsfest 2023 Friday in Camp Crame.

More than 2,000 employees from different agencies attended the opening ceremony wherein they engaged in a friendly competition in the field of sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and even the latest dance craze Zumba.

Others also represented their agencies in a contest on photography, poster-making and banner-making.

The event was also attended by PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr., the Acting chief of the BJMP Chief Supt. Ruel Rivera among others uniformed officials.

“This will also show that we, the entire DILG Family, serve as role models in our campaign against illegal drugs,” Abalos stressed.

The DILG chief also encouraged local chief executives (LCEs) in the country to take advantage of the Filipinos love in sports as an effective tool to keep the youth from the ills of the illegal drugs.

“Through our BIDA program, we are not just promoting a healthy lifestyle here but we are raising awareness and encouragement for people to do away from illegal drugs and avoid its harsh effects,” the Secretary said.

BIDA is a “whole-of-nation” approach of the government against illegal drugs to which the local government units (LGUs) play a very important role along with national government agencies and other stakeholders.

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