CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- A campaign dubbed “Bola Kontra Droga” was launched here Thursday as part of the continuing efforts of the provincial government to fight illegal drugs.
Under the program, movie and TV personalities will make the rounds of school campuses in the province of Bulacan to play basketball with the locals.
“This is our contribution to the appeal of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his bid to achieve a drug-free Philippines and we will start this by pushing for a drug-free Bulacan. Bola Kontra Droga for a drug-free Bulacan, drug-free showbiz,” Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando said during a press conference in line with the “Bola Kontra Droga” Campus Tour.
After the conference, a celebrity all-star team competed in a basketball game against players of the Bulacan State University (BulSU).
Fernando said that he sought the help of showbiz celebrities for his campaign against illegal drugs because they are role models and great influencers to the youth.
He said the celebrities can also help him in his campaign for a drug-free showbiz industry.
“Due to the serious involvement of our industry colleague in illegal drugs, our dream is that we also have a drug-free showbiz to make our artists good example for our people especially to the young ones,” Fernando added.
Joross Gamboa, one of the celebrity players in the shoot-out, said Vice Governor Fernando gave their basketball group a purpose, which is to inspire and educate the youth on the harmful effects of illegal drugs.
“We spent 10 years playing basketball. We have been playing together for many years in the Philippines but now we have encountered this. When we were with Vice Fernando, we had the purpose in our tour. Our purpose now is not just to entertain,” Gamboa said.
Other members of the celebrity all-star team include Derick Hubalde, Mark Herras, Jordan Herrera, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, Matt Evans, Marco Alcaraz, Joseph Bitangcol and JC Tiuseco, who all expressed their willingness to undergo an on-the-spot drug testing to prove that they are not taking any illegal substance.
Vice Governor Fernando expressed belief that the youth could be saved from the dangerous effects of drugs if their attention will be diverted to enjoyable yet worthy activities such as playing sports.
“This is one healthy way to divert the attention of young people against illegal drugs. To encourage them to learn sports such as basketball. By doing so, they cannot only improve their physical well-being, they also become fit to focus their minds on their studies,” Fernando said.
The next celebrity shoot-out will be on September 4 at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Santa Maria and on September 25 at Bulacan Polytechnic College-Malolos.
The “Bola Kontra Droga” Campus Tour (Basketball Shoot-out with Celebrities) was initiated by Vice Governor Fernando and the Damayang Filipino Movement Inc. with the support and cooperation of the provincial government of Bulacan and BulSU. (PNA)
