Published on: May 12, 2023 | By: Beatriz Faye G. Carreon

May 06, 2023 | With a shared purpose of fighting the surge of illicit drugs in the region, more than 4.5K individuals gathered at the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City to partake in the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Awayan (BIDA) Regional Launch and Roll-out cum Serbisyo Caravan with Kasimbayanan.

The Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program stands as a potent anti-illicit drug crusade orchestrated by the Marcos administration and helmed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. BIDA is a fresh call to arms in the ongoing fight against drugs, emphasizing drug prevention education and drug demand reduction.

KASIMBAYAN, which stands for Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan, the bridge that links the PNP, the general public, faith-based organizations, and other significant stakeholders, is a revitalized initiative that aims to establish tranquil, secure, and safeguarded communities.

The activity was graced by eminent personalities, to wit:

From the Department of the Interior and Local Government:

• Atty. Alfredo F. Bayan (Undersecretary for Mindanao Affairs and Special Concerns)
• Felicito A. Valmocina (Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs)
• Atty. Lord A. Villanueva (Undersecretary for Operations)
• Serafin P. Barretto, CESO IV (Undersecretary for Public Affairs)
• Rolando C. Puno (Assistant Secretary for External and Legislative Affairs)
• Lilian M. De Leon (Assistant Secretary for International Relations)
• Elizabeth N. Lopez – De Leon (Assistant Secretary for Community Participation)
• Debie T. Torres (Bureau Director of the Bureau of Local Government Development)
• Paisal O. Abutazil, CESO III (DILG IX – Regional Director)
• Engr. Carmelo Enrique B. Libot, CESO V (DILG IX – Assistant Regional Director)
• Oliver B. Ombos (DILG IX – Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Director)
• Moh. Taha S. Arakama (DILG IX – Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director)
• Mario A. Baterna (DILG IX – Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Director)
• Ginagene S. Vaño-Uy (DILG IX – Zamboanga City Director)
• Pilar V. Gudio (DILG IX – Isabela City Local Government Operations Officer)

National Government Agencies:

• PBGEN Neil B. Alinsañgan (Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office IX Regional Director)
• CSUPT Renato B. Marcial (Bureau of Fire Protection IX Regional Director)
• Johnson M. Calub, DM, CESE (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology IX Regional Director)
• Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency IX
• Department of Health IX
• Department of Social Welfare and Development IX
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority IX
• Department of Labor and Employment IX
• Department of Justice – Parole and Probation Administration IX
• Department of Education IX
• Department of Information and Communications Technology IX
• Philippine Coast Guard – Southwestern Mindanao
• Department of Trade and Industry IX
• Department of Agriculture IX
• Department of Budget and Management IX
• Office of Civil Defense IX

Local Government Units:

• PLGU Zamboanga del Sur
• Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
• Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur
• Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur
• Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur
• Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur
• Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur
• Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur
• Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur
• Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte
• Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte
• Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte
• Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte
• Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte
• Labason, Zamboanga del Norte
• Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte
• Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte
• Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte
• Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte
• Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga City
• 98 Barangays of Zamboanga City
• Isabela City

Academe:

• Western Mindanao State University
• Zamboanga City National High School West

Advocacy Support Groups

• KALIGKASAN (Kaligtasan sa Kalikasan)
• KKDAT (Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo)
• JIPCO (Joint Industrial Peace Concerns Office)
• FNKN (Foreign National Keepers Network)
• LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) Sector
• Faith Based Sector
• National Coalition of IT Advocates for Change (NCITAC)
• Global PCR (Global Peace Community Relations)
• Force Multipliers
• Women Sector
• Barangay Based
• Salam Multipliers
• Youth Organizations
• Rider’s and Biker’s Club
• Zamboanga Runners Club
• Fraternities and Sororities

Zamboanga City Mayor John M. Dalipe kickstarted the event with a warm welcome and an encouraging message of support for the BIDA program. He urged the attendees to take responsibility for their community’s well-being by actively participating in the fight against illegal drugs. By doing so, they can contribute to the creation of a more harmonious and advanced society.

During the event, individuals who were once dependent on drugs but have successfully undergone rehabilitation shared their personal experiences. They spoke about how the BIDA program has played a vital role in helping them transform their lives, inspiring them to become better, law-abiding members of society.

Regional Director of DILG IX, Paisal O. Abutazil, ushered in the keynote speaker, Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr., who spoke fervently in support of the BIDA program, referring to it as President Marcos’ war on drugs. SILG Abalos underscored the program’s compassionate approach, action-driven strategies, and strict adherence to the law.

The event was further enlivened by a lively mass dance performance of the BIDA campaign jingle, which was expertly led by the DILG Regional Office IX dancers. The synchronized movements and infectious rhythm of the dance perfectly embodied the attendees’ shared dedication to combatting illegal drugs, and the powerful visual display served as a testament to the collective resolve of the community.

In acknowledgement of the commendable efforts of the Drug Cleared Municipality and Municipalities with all their Barangays are Drug Cleared, as declared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC) Program, pursuant to DDB Board Regulation No. 4 series of 2021, a prestigious plaque of recognition was bestowed upon them during the occasion.

The BIDA Regional Launch and Roll-out cum Serbisyo Caravan with Kasimbayanan was an outstanding event that showcased the significance of collaborative actions in tackling the issue of illegal drugs. With the government’s backing and the people’s enthusiastic participation, the event instilled hope for a more harmonious and flourishing society.