The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has named Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez as one of the ambassadors of “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA), the national government anti-drug campaign, during its recent grand launching at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City
BIDA is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local governments, national government agencies and other key sectors of the society that will focus more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities.
Benitez joined DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., some Metro Manila mayors, and other national government agencies during the launching.
On Thursday, the DILG chief directed local governments to formulate their local antidrug plan of action, down to the barangay level, that responds to the needs of their localities.
Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2022-141, dated November 9, Abalos encouraged local chief executives to formulate their antidrug plans within their first 200 days in office, specifying their anti-illegal drug programs and activities based on their localities’ drug situation.
Benitez and the Victorias City Police Station led the local grand launching of the campaign.
The mayor said BIDA is different from other anti-drug campaigns as “it is not all about apprehension but rather an integrated approach of prevention, protection, and reintegration.”
“It (BIDA) delves into the root cause of the problem,” he pointed out.
The launching was attended by city officials, Punong Barangays, Sangguniang Kabataan, religious organizations, national government agencies, and other sectors.*
