March 28, 2024

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program was rolled out in the province on Dec. 12 at the Provincial Plaza.
Spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and its attached agencies particularly the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, in coordination with the provincial government, BIDA program is an intensified advocacy program against illegal drugs which involves the different LGUs and national line agencies to reduce the demand of drugs and strengthen the drug rehabilitation in the community.
Provincial Administrator Franklin Odsey who represented Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan said the BIDA program is a whole-of-nation solution to combat drug problems present in the community.
“This BIDA is a strategy of the national government working as one to attain the objective of stopping the proliferation of drugs. It has identified different national line agencies, together with the provincial local unit down to the barangay in solving this drug problem. It is a nationwide solution wherein all are involved to put an end to drugs.”
Police Provincial Director, Col. Sibley P. Dawiguey Jr., said it is not only the sole duty of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency or the PNP to fight drug problems but as well as the local government units, national line agencies, and other stakeholders.
National line agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Education also presented their respective programs catering to persons who use drugs.
Other highlights of the activity also included the reciting and signing of the Pledge of Commitment for the BIDA Program.
In the same activity, Paracelis was accorded with a resolution of drug-cleared status following the declaration of all its barangays drug-free.
The resolution was received by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Angel Moises Tamang. – Valerie Taguba