CAMPAIGN. The Buhay Ingatan Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) program will be launched in the province next week, says Interior and Local Government Antique Provincial Director Ace Azarcon (4th from right) in a press conference at the Kanyugan Restaurant in San Jose de Buenavista on Friday (June 9, 2023). Azarcon said they look forward to a holistic approach in addressing the problem of illegal drugs in Antique. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Galedo)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Antique provincial director on Friday said they will be launching the Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) program to call for the active participation of the public in addressing the illegal drugs problem.
The BIDA program, to be launched in the province on June 13, is an intensified and more holistic campaign against illegal drugs to reduce drug demand in the communities.
"We want the people to have ownership in the campaign against illegal drugs so they will also help," DILG provincial director Ace Azarcon said in a press conference.
Highlighting the launching will be the poster-making contest of the Department of Education (DepEd) at the Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park in San Jose de Buenavista and the inauguration of the Bahay Silangan in the municipality of San Remigio.
"The Balay Silangan will be used for the community rehabilitation of drug surrenders from San Remigio,” said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Assistant Provincial Officer Jose Maria Real during the press conference.
The Bahay Silangan in San Remigio is already the third rehabilitation center in Antique after Patnongon and Tibiao towns.
He said that 23 clients have completed their rehabilitation program from the two centers last year.
"The reformed clients were also provided with livelihood by the local government units so they would have something to start for a living," Real said.
Currently, only two of the 590 barangays in Antique are left to be declared as drug-cleared.
The declaration of two barangays in the municipalities of Hamtic and Culasi towns as cleared from Illegal drugs is now being processed. (PNA)
