Thousand of participants rallied and pledged their support in the campaign against illegal drugs with the Grand Launch of “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) Program held at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on November 26, 2022.

The BIDA Program is an anti-illegal drug campaign spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It is a countrywide anti-illegal advocacy program that involves local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and other key sectors of society.

The program will focus on drug supply interdiction through enforcement action, and at the same time, reduce the demand for drugs by actively pushing rehabilitation and reintegration measures for drug dependents.

In a message DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. delivered during the launch, he said “Aayusin natin at lilinisin natin ang system, yung tiwala ng mamayan sa institusyon ay lalo nating pag-iigtingin. Mahirap sugpuin pero walang imposible kung sama-sama tayo. Lahat tayo, magtutulungan. Say no to drugs at maging BIDA tayong lahat laban sa illegal na droga.”

The DILG Secretary further said that the key to successful illegal drugs demand reduction is a team approach that is centered on the grassroots and one that targets both prevention and rehabilitation by promoting anti-drug education at all levels, from national initiatives to barangay activities and school events.

The Grand Launch was attended by delegates from NCR LGUs, Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Department of Health, Iglesia ni Cristo, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, National Youth Commission, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, and BIDA Program Ambassadors.