This city manifested its strong support for the government’s anti-drug program as it gathered over 8,500 participants in the local government-led Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Rise and Run on Saturday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. led the five-kilometer advocacy run that started 6 a.m. outside the city hall.

He said local government units play an important role in the government’s effort against illegal drugs, particularly local executives from the mayors down to village chairpersons.

“We are doing a whole-of-nation approach. What is important is that with all the support, you make use of this to look at the gaps,” he said in an interview.

Mayor Jerry Treñas assured Abalos that the city and all its villages are supportive of the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“The problem with drugs is multi-faceted, that is why we support the police but at the same time, we work with the barangays because the real problem is with the barangays. And it is only through a community effort that we will be able to stop this,” Treñas said.

He said random drug testing is conducted at the city hall.

If there is an ordinance and legally feasible, all employees in the city will be tested.

“We will sustain the campaign, not necessarily BIDA-run, but other efforts to keep our people away from drugs,” he said.

BIDA data from Jan. 1, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2024 showed the conduct of illegal drugs awareness and prevention campaigns across 129,662 schools, 367,177 villages, and 156,009 workplaces, reaching 10,613,793 participants nationwide.

Over 6.2 million anti-illegal drugs informative materials were disseminated; 46,901 visitations made in Uncleared Barangays and houses of 287,611 Persons Who Use Drugs nationwide; and 779,353 BIDA advocates championed the program’s cause. (PNA)