MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday said it hopes to rid more villages of illegal drugs through its 'Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan' (BIDA) campaign.
In a Laging Handa briefing, DILG Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs and Communications Margarita Gutierrez said a total of 26,244 barangays have already been declared as drug-cleared.
This figure translates to over 74 percent of the 35,356 drug-affected villages.
Gutierrez noted the importance of a holistic approach and interagency collaboration in the campaign against illegal drugs which requires the participation of the private sector, local government units, non-government organizations, civic-oriented groups in coordination with the law enforcers and government agencies.
She said they are also tapping the private sector to adopt the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign in the workplace.
"Maganda naman po, mainit ang pagtanggap ng mga tao sa mga lugar na pinupuntahan namin. Natutuwa sila sa programa natin dahil holistic at whole of nation approach ito (The people in the places that we visit showed warm reception toward the program. They are happy because our program is holistic and this a whole of nation approach)," she added.
Gutierrez added that the DILG is constantly working with villages and has coordinated with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and law enforcement agencies to strengthen the campaign.
The DOH provides rehabilitation centers for recovering drug users while the DOLE will ensure that they are given the second chance in life through employment opportunities.
The DILG, meanwhile, is also conducting sports activities such as fun runs to encourage the youth to become productive members of society and help them stay away from illegal drugs.
Gutierrez said preparations are underway for the BIDA 'Bayanihan ng Mamamayan' Fun Run set at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday.
At least 10,000 participants from various sectors are expected to join the nearly 3-kilometer fun run, which is one of the strategies to drum up support for the BIDA advocacy. (PNA)
