Abalos: Discuss government’s anti-drug program on Barangay Assembly Day

FILE PHOTO: DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has urged barangay chiefs to discuss and invite their constituents to support the government’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program.

In a speech during the holding of the Barangay Assembly Day for the first semester of March on Monday, March 20, Abalos encouraged the community to become BIDA advocates and join the fight against illicit substances.

“Gamitin natin ang makabuluhang pagtitipon na ito upang tulungan ang buong pamahalaan para mapababa ang demand sa iligal na droga at sisimulan natin yan sa ating mga pamayanan. Naniniwala ako na kaya nating gawin ito basta’t magtutulungan tayo,” he said.

(Let us use this significant gathering to help the entire government to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and we will start that in our communities. I believe we can do this as long as we work together.)

According to Abalos, the barangay assembly is a good opportunity to reach those in the community and explain the importance of cooperation between government agencies, local governments as well as barangays, different sectors, and the public in the goal of the BIDA program which reduces the demand for illegal drugs.

He said the strategy of the program is holistic as it focuses on the aspect of rehabilitation.

“Hiling natin na tulungan tayo ng ating mga kababayan hanggang sa mga barangay upang mas lumakas pa at maging epektibo ang ating kampanya sa pamamagitan ng aktibong partisipasyon sa mga susunod na BIDA activities,” Abalos said.

(We request that our compatriots help us up to the barangays so that our campaign can become stronger and more effective through active participation in the next BIDA activities.)

Abalos claimed that more people are joining forces to fight drugs as the successful launch of the BIDA Fun Run and Service Caravan last February 27 at the Mall of Asia, Pasay City was attended by 16,245 BIDA advocates while about 10k participated in the fun run in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

READ: Abalos: Time to strike at the core of the drug problem

By means of Memorandum Circular No. 2023-032, Abalos advised the mayors and barangay chiefs to make sure the Barangay Assembly Days, which are required by the Local Government Code and Proclamation No. 599-2018, were held in each semester of the year on either Saturdays or Sundays in March and October. —Kimberly D. Albaño, trainee

RELATED STORIES
Gov’t launches new drug war campaign
DILG to launch BIDA program in Cebu City this November

KGA