An estimated crowd of 25,000 participants came out to take part and show support to the Department’s campaign against illegal drugs in the Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Challenge 2023 in Lapu-Lapu City on Saturday morning, July 29. 

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Atty. Benjamin Abalos, Jr. led the 4-kilometer run together with DILG Undersecretary for Operation Atty. Lord Villanueva, host Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and other government officials. 

The activity kicked off with a program at the Hoops Dome attended by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Congresswoman Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Chan, Tudela Mayor Greman Solante, San Francisco Camotes Mayor Aldredo Arquillano, Poro Mayor Edgar Rama, Siquijor Mayor Wilfredo Capundag Jr., and other government officials. 

Also present are DILG Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs Rolando Puno and BLGS Director Debie Torres, DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela together with the provincial and city directors, PRO-7 Director PBGen Anthony Abellada Aberin, PDEA-7 Director Jigger Montallana, BJMP-7 Director JCSupt Neil R Avisado, NCMF-7 Director Onasis Balt, and NAPOLCOM-7 Director Atty. Risty Sibay.

BIDA Ambassador Mary Joy Tabal, an Olympian and SEA Games gold medalist, ran the 4K together with Sec. Abalos and other officials. 

The other Ambassadors are Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry Ammann, Miss Mandaue 2023 Victoria Leslie Ingram and Miss Lapu-Lapu 202 Ms. Kishes Co. 

The Top 3 in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 2K and 4K categories received cash prizes courtesy of the host. The winning runners were surprised as DILG gave five Tablets to the top runners. 

Usec Villanueva, Asec Puno, Dir. Torres, Dir. Trovela, DILG Cebu Province Director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, DILG Lapu-Lapu City Director Jonah Pino and and Atty. Risty Sibay of NAPOLCOM.

Participants also availed the free services given in the Serbisyo Caravan that includes medical services from PNP, legal aid services from DILG, IBP and YLAC Lawyers, basic firefighting, free haircut and basic first aid from BFP-7, display of livelihood products from PDL from BJMP-7, and license to own firearm permit of PNP RCSU-7. 

The activity capped off with the awarding of ADAC Performance Audit. 

LOOK |  Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 Director Leocadio Trovela visited Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan  ahead of the Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Challenge 2023, which will be held at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City on Saturday morning, July 29. 

Dir. Trovela was accompanied by DILG Lapu-Lapu City Director Jonah Pino, and LGMED Chief Celerino Magto Jr. 

Also, DILG-7 personnel together with personnel from Lapu-Lapu City government conducted an ocular inspection at the venue and route for tommorow's activity. - https://www.facebook.com/DILGR7 

DILG R7 and DILG Bohol BIDA Runners, joined by BIDA Advocates in various LGUs, participated in the Katigbawan Mountainview Half Marathon Challenge 2023 on June 11, 2023, at the Municipality of Catigbian.

The event holds promotion of the Catigbian Mountainview Garden thru sports tourism and the promotion of the active lifestyle of the community in fitness and sports to strengthen their physical and mental health.

In conjunction with the Katigbawan Mountainview Half Marathon Challenge, a signature campaign was organized by DILG Bohol to gather support and commitment from community members in the fight against illegal drugs. A booth was set up at the event venue, where participants and attendees signed a pledge to stand against illegal drugs and support the campaign's objectives.

Catigbian Municipal Mayor Elizabeth Mandin-Pace, Balilihan Municipal Mayor Maria Puresa V. Chatto and Vice-Mayor Ester Patrisha V. Chatto, together with other key officials, took part in the signature campaign of the DILG. The members of the Municipal Management and Coordinating Committee, which includes the PNP and BFP of Catigbian, also showed their support to the BIDA program.

The BIDA Kontra Droga advocacy campaign exemplifies a resolute commitment of the DILG, the local government officials, and the community BIDA advocates to eradicate the proliferation, abuse, and trafficking of illegal drugs in our communities.

DILG Bohol Provincial Director Jerome G. Gonzales expresses his gratitude to Catigbian Municipal Mayor Elizabeth Mandin-Pace for her support to the BIDA Program. -DILG Bohol (https://www.facebook.com/dilgboholprovince) 

Congratulations to the top 10 runners of the Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) 2023 Run held last Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Pantawan, Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City.

Also, we would like to extend our warmest appreciation and congratulations to all the race finishers for joining our call to run against illegal drugs and for successfully finishing the course with grace.

To recall, the event was spearheaded by DILG Negros Oriental led by Provincial Director Farah Diba Gentuya , in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, and the Provincial Management Coordinating Committee ((PMCC).

It was participated by the various national government agencies, local government unit offices, Liga Ng Mga Barangay, and private sectors. -DILG Bohol (https://www.facebook.com/dilgboholprovince) 

DILG 7 Director Leocadio Trovela graced the launching of Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) program and BIDA 2023 Run in Negros Oriental on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Pantawan, Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City.

The event was spearheaded by DILG Negros Oriental led by Provincial Director Farah Diba Gentuya , in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, and the Provincial Management Coordinating Committee ((PMCC).

PD Gentuya and LNMB president Hon. Dione Amores opened the activity with a welcoming remarks.

Dir. Trovela gave his message of support.

Provincial Governor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes, represented by Mr. Mareze Ramirez, PDEA Provincial Officer AI III Elmer T. Ebona 

and NOPPO Acting Provincial Director PCol Alex G Recinto also gave their message of support.

The BIDA Ambassadors, Dumaguete City Mayor Hon. Felipe Antonio Remollo, Provincial Administrator Atty. Karen Lisettle Molas (represented by Mr. Mareze Ramirez), Dumaguete City Poblacion 8 Barangay Captain Hon. Maelyne Rose Mariano, and Youth Advocate Derneath Divinigracia were also present.

Aside from the BIDA Run, part of the launching was the presentation of Anti-Illegal Drug Advocates (AIDAS) and the signing of the Pledge of Commitment.

The event was participated by the various national government agencies, local government unit offices, Liga Ng Mga Barangay, and private sectors. -DILG Negros Oriental 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 in partnership with the local government unit of Mandaue City hold a simultaneous activity for the Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program on Friday morning, April 21, 2023.

The holistic anti-illegal drug campaign was conducted in three settings— community-based, workplace and school-based all in Mandaue City.

Women sector were the participants in the community-based at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex. Present were the women from different barangays who joined the Women’s Summit 2023.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela, DILG Mandaue City Director Johnjoan Mende, city councilors Cynthia Cinco Remedio, Jennifer Del Mar and Malcolm Sanchez, Atty. Ebenezer Daryl Manzano of Mandaue City Substance Abuse Prevention Office, Election Officer IV Atty. Anna Fleur Abeljas-Gujilde of COMELEC Mandaue City, Mandaue Women’s Federation President Ramonita Manatad, and GAD focal person Apple Yu.

In his message, Trovela underscored the importance of women in the battle against illegal drugs.

“You have a big role since you are the one who nurtures and guides the members of the family,” he said. “Ang ating mga ina, auntie and sisters sila ay nagbibigay guidance.

DILG-7 also offered free legal service during the activity. For the school-based activity, students and teachers in Mandaue - 

- City gathered at the San Roque Parish Pastoral Center for a training workshop on the creation of anti-drug advocacy materials like short audio-visual presentations or reels, and lecture on the role of Mandaue City Substance Abuse Prevention Office in drug and mental health awareness.

Speakers were DILG Information Officer II Christopher Mahilum and MCSAPO Psychometrician Mike Joshua Enmil, respectively.

Dir. Trovela also graced the school-based activity and stressed the vital role of the youth in drug prevention by raising awareness of the ill effects of illicit drugs on people and society through social media platforms.

LGMED assistant division chief Corina Balansag said that the Department is committed to mobilize the support of the different sectors of society to promote advocacy and education campaigns against illegal drugs.

“This is our way of widening our awareness campaign so you — the youth and the future of our nation — will have better understanding on the harmful social and health effects of illicit drug use. Hoping that soon, you will all grow into a better citizen and an altruist for a drug-free Philippines,” she added.

Meanwhile, the workplace activity is joined by barangay officials on the second floor of San Roque Parish Pastoral Center.

LGMED Chief Celerino Magto Jr., LGOO V Jupiter Dawa and DILG-7 personnel led the conduct of various lectures and mandatory drug tests.

Lapu-Lapu City Government Working Committee, with DILG Lapu-Lapu City as the lead agency, conducts a coordination meeting on April 3, 2022 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall in preparation for the upcoming BIDA ng Mamamayan, B.A.K.T.A.S. Kontra Droga and Serbisyo Caravan on April 22, 2023 in which Lapu-Lapu City is the host LGU.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan graces the activity and expresses his gratitude to the support of the barangays and partner national government agencies to the BIDA activity which will be held at Lapu-Lapu City Hoopsdome.

Executive Director Garry Lao of City of Lapu-Lapu Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP) welcomes the attendees and emphasizes the cooperation of the barangays to the BIDA program and the upcoming activites.

For her part, DILG Lapu-Lapu City Director Jonah Pino encourages the barangays’ full support to the upcoming activity and asks their commitments on the participation of barangay officials and personnel, particularly for the fun run and walk for a cause.

Joining the meeting are the Punong Barangays of Lapu-Lapu City, heads and representatives of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Lapu-Lapu City Fire District, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Air Force (PAF) City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Traffic and Management System, and Local Youth Development Office. -DILG Lapu-Lapu City (https://www.facebook.com/dilglapulapu)

Different government offices and stakeholders in the Visayas have joined forces with the DILG-7 to encourage the public to become staunch advocates in weeding out illegal drugs during the simultaneous launch of Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program on Saturday morning, November 26, 2022.

DILG-7 in partnership with its attached agencies, local government units, some government offices, and private groups launched the flagship campaign against illegal drugs for the Visayas Cluster at the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City.

The participating partners were PRO 6 and 7; PDEA-7; DepEd; DOH-7; Napolcom-7; Tesda; DSWD; Philippine Information Agency; Philippine Coast Guard Visayas; DDB; BJMP; BFP; PSA; AFP; the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu City; Batang Kaparis ni Rizal; Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce; Safehaven Rehabilitation Cebu; and Maharlika Marcos Loyalist (MML).

BIDA promotes a whole-of-nation approach in advocating and helping the government end the country’s illegal drug problem. It puts a premium on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities and underscores the role of drug enforcement agencies and other concerned government offices.

The launch was undertaken simultaneously nationwide. Other venues were in Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre in Cagayan de Oro City, and People’s Park in Davao City.

SILG Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., who was at the Quezon City launching, said that the key to the success of BIDA is the support of the communities and the people themselves who should reject and say no to illegal drugs and report the drug activities in their areas to the authorities.

"Sa ating lahat, ang hamon ay ugatin natin ang problema ng droga. Dito sa BIDA, 

hindi lang kapulisan at iba pang law enforcement units ang kikilos, hanggang grassroots kasama natin dapat dito,” he said.

In Cebu City, BIDA campaign took off with a Bike Out, Fun Run, Zumba session and Motorcade, followed by a program at the Plaza Independencia. It was graced by DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, Asec. Frank Cruz, Asec Ester Aldana, DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela,  DILG-8 Director Arnel Agabe, DILG-7 provincial directors  Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero and Jerome Gonzales, city directors Jonah Pino, Johnjoan Mende, and Neila Aquino, and heads of different government offices.

Usec. Iringan in his speech emphasized the importance of the role of private sectors and public sectors in the fight against illegal drugs.

“Pangarap po natin ang tahimik at mapayapang lugar… Ito ay laban ng lahat, a whole of nation approach. Tinitingnan natin ang partisipasyon ng private sectors at talaga namang malaki ang role nila lalo na sa pagbibigay ng livelihood program sa sumasailalim sa rehabilitation program,” he said.

The crowd was wowed by the appearance of online icon Berto Plando, Jr., known as “Berta” who used to be a street dweller, as he took the opportunity to inspire others during the launch by sharing his traumatic experience using illicit drugs.

BIDA ambassadors Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games medalist Andrew Kim Remolino and Nino Surban, and beauty queen Kris Tiffany Janson gave their message of support.

LGUs that were recently declared drug-free were also recognized.

The Visayas launching capped off with the attendees signing a unity statement to express their commitment to carrying out the BIDA program's objectives in their respective jurisdictions.

Different government offices and stakeholders in the Visayas have joined forces with the DILG-7 to encourage the public to become staunch advocates in weeding out illegal drugs during the simultaneous launch of Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program on Saturday morning, November 26, 2022.

DILG-7 in partnership with its attached agencies, local government units, some government offices, and private groups launched the flagship campaign against illegal drugs for the Visayas Cluster at the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City.

The participating partners were PRO 6 and 7; PDEA-7; DepEd; DOH-7; Napolcom-7; Tesda; DSWD; Philippine Information Agency; Philippine Coast Guard Visayas; DDB; BJMP; BFP; PSA; AFP; the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu City; Batang Kaparis ni Rizal; Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce; Safehaven Rehabilitation Cebu; and Maharlika Marcos Loyalist (MML).

BIDA promotes a whole-of-nation approach in advocating and helping the government end the country’s illegal drug problem. It puts a premium on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities and underscores the role of drug enforcement agencies and other concerned government offices.

The launch was undertaken simultaneously nationwide. Other venues were in Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre in Cagayan de Oro City, and People’s Park in Davao City.

SILG Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., who was at the Quezon City launching, said that the key to the success of BIDA is the support of the communities and the people themselves who should reject and say no to illegal drugs and report the drug activities in their areas to the authorities.

"Sa ating lahat, ang hamon ay ugatin natin ang problema ng droga. Dito sa BIDA, 

hindi lang kapulisan at iba pang law enforcement units ang kikilos, hanggang grassroots kasama natin dapat dito,” he said.

In Cebu City, BIDA campaign took off with a Bike Out, Fun Run, Zumba session and Motorcade, followed by a program at the Plaza Independencia. It was graced by DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, Asec. Frank Cruz, Asec Ester Aldana, DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela,  DILG-8 Director Arnel Agabe, DILG-7 provincial directors  Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero and Jerome Gonzales, city directors Jonah Pino, Johnjoan Mende, and Neila Aquino, and heads of different government offices.

Usec. Iringan in his speech emphasized the importance of the role of private sectors and public sectors in the fight against illegal drugs.

“Pangarap po natin ang tahimik at mapayapang lugar… Ito ay laban ng lahat, a whole of nation approach. Tinitingnan natin ang partisipasyon ng private sectors at talaga namang malaki ang role nila lalo na sa pagbibigay ng livelihood program sa sumasailalim sa rehabilitation program,” he said.

The crowd was wowed by the appearance of online icon Berto Plando, Jr., known as “Berta” who used to be a street dweller, as he took the opportunity to inspire others during the launch by sharing his traumatic experience using illicit drugs.

BIDA ambassadors Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games medalist Andrew Kim Remolino and Nino Surban, and beauty queen Kris Tiffany Janson gave their message of support.

LGUs that were recently declared drug-free were also recognized.

The Visayas launching capped off with the attendees signing a unity statement to express their commitment to carrying out the BIDA program's objectives in their respective jurisdictions.