Republic of the Philippines

On April 27, 2023, the Provincial Government of Guimaras headed by Gov. JC Rahman Nava in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Guimaras headed by PD Roselyn Quintana, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Guimaras State University, launched the BIDA Caravan in Guimaras. The BIDA Caravan is part of the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program,” which is an initiative of the DILG aimed at eradicating illegal drugs and promoting a drug-free community. The program seeks to involve various sectors of society in the fight against illegal drugs, with the overall goal of promoting health, well-being, and safety. The BIDA Caravan covered the five (5) municipalities of Guimaras and a short program was hosted by each of the local government units (LGUs). The caravan was welcomed by the five municipal mayors of the province and DILG Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero delivered a message. Likewise, statement of support to the BIDA Program was delivered by PDEA Guimaras Acting Provincial Director Jyxyvzcky G. Escrupolo, and Provincial Director PCOL Richard B. Baluis accompanied by PLTCOL Orly Gabinete and PLTCOL Raymond Cruz of the Guimaras Philippine Police Office (GPPO). In the words of SILG Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., who also showed his full support to the BIDA program said, “We are not only addressing drug demand reduction but interventions are very important. While the law enforcers are doing their tasks and support basic awareness on healthy lifestyle, giving our children confidence to say NO to Drugs matters….Let’s fight illegal drugs!” The province-wide event served as a reminder to prioritize one’s health well-being, and safety by avoiding the use of illegal drugs. The caravan featured a series of activities and programs that aimed to educate the public about the dangers of illegal drugs and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Through this initiative, the Provincial Government of Guimaras, in partnership with various government agencies and the academic community, demonstrate their commitment to create a drug-free community and promote a culture of health and wellness. With the BIDA Caravan, the government aims to inspire and empower its citizens to be proactive in the fight against illegal drugs and to make Guimaras a safer and healthier place to live.##

Bilang pagtalima sa layunin ng Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawn (BIDA) Program na pagkaisahin ang iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan sa laban kontra iligal na droga, makikipagtulungan ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sa malalaking kumpanya sa bansa upang dalhin ang kampanya kontra droga sa pribadong sektor. Sa kanyang naging talumpati sa signing ceremony ng Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sa pagitan ng DILG at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-RenewHealth Miyerkules ng hapon, isiniwalat ni DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. ang napipintong paglulunsad ng “BIDA Workplace.” “We are coordinating with the different employers in the Philippines – the big ones. And we are going to sign agreements with them as part of the BIDA Program,” ani Abalos. Plano ng DILG na pormal na ilunsad ang BIDA Workplace sa May 25, 2023. Sa ilalim ng pipirmahang mga kasunduan, magkakaroon ng kani-kaniyang programa at polisiya kontra droga ang mga pribadong kumpanya na naaayon sa adhikain ng BIDA Program, ayon kay Abalos. Isang halimbawa aniya ay ang pagsasagawa ng random drug testing ng mga empleyado. “If one is found to be positive we will let the company handle the matter and enforce appropriate sanctions such as suspension, dismissal, or they can order their employee to undergo rehabilitation,” ani ng Kalihim. “Just imagine kung lahat ng kumpanya ay gawin ito, tiyak na magiging malinis ang ating bansa at mananalo tayo sa laban kontra droga,” dagdag pa niya. Paliwanag ng Kalihim, naging inspirasyon ng BIDA Workplace ang naging magandang pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektor sa panahon ng pandemiya, partikular sa pagpatupad ng COVID-19 testing. “Dadalhin natin ang magandang samahan na ito sa laban kontra droga. Ang mga malalaking kumpanya ay ating hihikayatin na makibahagi sa laban na ito. Dahil sa ating BIDA Program, bawat sektor, bawat indibidwal ay mayroong mahalagang papel – iyan ang ating whole-of-nation approach,” dagdag ng Kalihim. ###

Nagsanib-puwersa ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-RenewHealth upang mas palakasin ang community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) anti-illegal drug program na Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) ng pamahalaan. “As we continue to roll out the BIDA program in various sectors nationwide, I am very pleased to have the support of international agencies such as USAID.  We thank USAID for sharing our vision and helping in our efforts to rehabilitate persons who use drugs (PWUDs) and combatting illegal drugs in the communities,” ani DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur”Abalos, Jr. Opisyal na inilunsad ang partnership ‪ Miyerkules ng hapon sa pamamagitan ng paglagda ng Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sa pagitan ng DILG at USAID. Kasama rin dito ang turnover ng iba’t ibang CBDR materials at learning modules ng RenewHealth sa DILG bilang bahagi ng BIDA program na ipapakalat sa mga pamahalaang lokal. Ayon kay Abalos, ang kolaborasyon na ito ay naglalayong maisakatuparan ang iba’t ibang drug-demand activities tulad ng pagtiyak ng access sa evidence-based at culturally appropriate tools na sumusuporta sa pagpapatupad ng CBDR; pagpapakalat ng research at best practices ng CBDR, substance use prevention at re-integration program; at capacity-building para sa mga CBDR program managers at service providers ng local government units (LGUs). Sa pamamagitan ng MOU, magkakaloob ang USAID ng tools at materials ukol sa social behavior change communication (SBCC) at CBDR; capacity building at information management platforms para sa CBDR; advocacy events para itampok ang mga best practice ng CBDR; at evidence-based na mga polisiya at batayan ukol sa CBDR. Samantala, ang DILG ang siyang mangunguna sa pagpapakalat at co-branding ng mga SBCC at CBDR material ng USAID bilang bahagi ng BIDA Program at ICAD websites; pangunguna sa mga forum at advocacy event bilang bahagi ng BIDA Program; at pagkakaloob ng CBDR capacity building sa mga LGU at iba pa. Ang RenewHealth ng USAID ay isang proyekto na nagsimula noong 2019 na nagtataguyod ng social integration at nagpapataas ng accessibility ng drug treatment at rehabilitasyon sa loob ng komunidad. Ang BIDA program, ang multi-sectoral at holistic na drug campaign ng pamahalaan, ay nakatuon sa pagpapaigting ng mga hakbangin upang bawasan ang demand at supply ng iligal na droga sa pamamagitan ng multi-sectoral approach kasabay ng law enforcerment efforts ng mga awtoridad.###

More than two thousand (2000) individuals from all over the Province of Aklan participated in the Provincial Launching of Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on April 26, 2023 at the Augusto B. Legaspi (ABL) Sports and Cultural Center, Kalibo, Aklan with the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. as the Guest of Honor. The said activity was also graced by DILG Undersecretary for Operations Atty. Lord A. Villanueva, DILG Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero, DILG Aklan Provincial Director Dino A. Ponsaran, the key officials of LGU Aklan, and the Regional and Provincial Directors of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), NAPOLCOM and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The BIDA-related activities were organized and made possible thru the partnership of DILG-Aklan, Aklan Provincial Government, PNP, BJMP, PDEA, BFP, as well as all the Local Chief Executives and the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) in the Province. The activities conducted were the following: Bugae It Pamatan-ong Akeanon (Showcase of Aklan Youth Talents) ABL Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan; Paglunsar it BIDA Program sa Probinsya it Aklan (BIDA Launching Program) ABL Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan; “Hinun-anon: Kampanya Kontra Ilegal Nga Droga (Anti-Drug Abuse Colloquium) ABL Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan; Simultaneous BIDA Advocacy Activities Inagurasyon It Baeay It Pagbag-o It Kalibo (Ribbon Cutting of Kalibo Balay Silangan) Kalibo Balay Silangan, Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan; Pagbisita sa PWUDs ag Paghiwat it Drug Testing (Visit and Drug Testing at BJMP) Aklan District Jail, Brgy Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan; Hinun-anon Kaibahan Ku Local Media (Press Conference) Provincial Capitol, Kalibo Aklan; Pagdeklarar it Hospital Probinsyal nga Drug-Free Workplace (Declaration of Drug-Free Workplace) Dr. Rafael Tumbukon Memorial Hospital; and Pagpamantaw it BIDA Mural Painting (Mural Painting Viewing) Kalibo Pilot Elem. School, Kalibo, Aklan SILG Abalos emphasized the importance of galvanizing the community, duty-bearers, and stakeholders to take urgent action to protect the rights of the people by strengthening its efforts on drug use prevention, rehabilitation, and control. “Ipagpatuloy natin ang intensive operations and campaign natin laban sa illegal na droga. Patuloy tayong lumapit sa mga mamamayan upang ipaintindi sa kanila ang masamang epekto ng droga.” He also congratulated the Province of Aklan for having all of its barangays,327/327, declared as drug-cleared/drug-free. The Province of Aklan, being the first province to launch the BIDA Program in Region VI, encourages the support of the whole nation in the implementation towards the attainment of peaceful, safe, progressive, resilient and inclusive communities towards a drug free Philippines.

“Teach our children to say no to drugs.” Ito ang panawagan ni Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. sa mga magulang matapos nitong pangunahan ang paglulunsad ng Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program sa ABL Sports and Cultural Center, Kalibo, Aklan kamakailan. “Parenthood is a sacred duty bestowed to us by the Lord and in our war against illegal drugs, we must ensure that our children will be far from its influence. I urge all the parents to be good role models and to continuously nurture their relationship with their children so that they may ably guide them through life’s challenges and veer them away from illegal drugs. Ito po ang ating pinakamalaking tungkulin,” ani Abalos. Pagbabago, repormasyon, at pag-unlad ng kabataan ang mga naging tema ni Abalos sa pormal na paglulunsad ng BIDA Campaign sa Kalibo, Aklan kasabay ng paalala sa mga magulang na gawin ang makakaya upang mahubog ang mga kabataan tungo sa tamang landas at malayo sa iligal na droga. “Walang tao ang walang problema, pero wala ring problema ang walang solusyon. What is important is how you handle a problem. It is what makes you a leader. Iyan ang kailangan natin sa bata, the confidence to say no to illegal drugs,” diin ng Kalihim. Gamit ang halimbawa ng mga nakaraang drug busts sa Baguio at Taguig, binigyang-diin ni Abalos na mayroong higit na pangangailangan ng madaliang pagkilos upang wakasan ang problema ng ilegal na droga dahil sa pinsalang maaaring maidulot nito. “We are now at a point na ang huli ng pulis ay bilyon-bilyon. Kailan lamang, sa Baguio, nakahuli sila ng 4 billion pesos. Kung umikot ito, malaking perwisyo sa anak natin, sa apo natin, sa mga susunod nating henerasyon ng Pilipino. Sisirain tayo nito.” Bago ang paglulunsad ng programa, pinangunahan din ng Kalihim ang pormal na pagbubukas ng BALAY SILANGAN o Baeay Pagbag-o it Kalibo sa Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo. Kabilang ito sa proyekto ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) na naglalayong bigyan ng tulong ang mga drug surrenderee sa bansa.###

“Business as usual is over. Governance is no longer business as usual.” The DILG Regional Office VI together with the Local Government Academy (LGA) conducted a three-day training on “Building Business-Friendly and Competitive LGUs: Rebuilding Business and Consumer Confidence in the New Normal” at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City, Negros Occidental last April 18-20, 2023. Dr. Aser Javier, a consultant of the LGA in local economic development (LED), was the key resource person for identifying LGU capacities in enabling businesses and enhancing economic development in their communities. Workshops were conducted to profile LGU economic drivers and enumerate potential investments. The second day of the training was devoted to field visits to the cities of Bacolod and Victorias in order to learn about the various initiatives, efforts, and innovations of the local governments in making their cities more business-friendly and competitive.   Bacolod City presented their innovation called the “Electronic Business Integrated System,” wherein business owners can easily apply or renew and pay fees without the need to go to city hall. The city also shared their journey in launching the “Paleng-QR PH Plus Program” to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises and consumers, particularly in public markets and local transportation hubs, to go digital and have the opportunity to accept and pay through online payment. As of April 19, 2023, more than a thousand businesses had adopted the Paleng-QR PH Plus in Bacolod City’s main public markets. Victorias City, on the other hand, presented their “SMART City Application,” which was developed in collaboration with the Information Technology Business Solutions Corporation. This app has numerous but integrated features, ranging from business registration to emergency hotline services. Victorias City also showcased their “Government Property and Document Tracking Systems” which improved the efficiency of the internal operations of the city government. On the final day of training, all participating LGUs reported their proposed Competitiveness Plans, which were amplified and synthesized by Ms. Ellen Marie Jandoni, a consultant and policy researcher. This activity was co-facilitated with DILG Bacolod City and DILG Negros Occidental.#

Binabati ko si Major General Benjamin Acorda, Jr. sa pagkakatalaga nito bilang bagong Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief matapos siyang pangalanan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. bilang pinuno ng kapulisan. Naniniwala akong si Acorda ang nararapat na mamuno sa PNP dahil sa kanyang malawak na karanasan at integridad upang tuparin ang hamon ng pagiging isang Chief PNP. Siya ay miyembro ng Philippine Military Academy “Sambisig” Class of 1991 at naging pinuno ng Directorate for Intelligence ng PNP noong Agosto 2022, Palawan Police Provincial Office chief mula 2014 hanggang 2016, at nagsilbi bilang Regional Director ng Police Regional Office 10 ng Northern Mindanao. Sa bagong yugtong ito ng PNP sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Acorda, patuloy ang suportang ibibigay ng DILG sa pagpapatupad ng napapanahong pagbabago sa kapulisan habang masigasig nitong tinutupad ang mandato nito na pangalagaan at proteksyunan ang ating mga kababayan. Inaasahan ko rin po ang suporta, kooperasyon at pakikiisa ng buong puwersa ng PNP sa bagong liderato upang maayos niyang magampanan ang kanyang tungkulin at mandato bilang pinuno ng kapulisan.###

Nanawagan si Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. sa mga local chief executives (LCEs) ng bansa na tutukan ang pangangalaga sa peace and order situation sa kanilang lugar sa 1st Joint National Peace and Order Council-Regional Peace and Order Councils (NPOC-RPOCs) Meeting na ginanap kaninang umaga sa Manila Hotel. Bilang Chairperson ng NPOC, umapela si Abalos sa mga lokal na opisyal at iba pang peace and order stakeholders na patuloy na magkaisa upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa bansa. “We may be an archipelagic country but we must be binded by our common goal for peace and prosperity. We are composed of more than 7,100 islands but what is important is the synchronicity of our programs and policies, and our unity to maintain peace and order in our country,” ani ng Kalihim sa kanyang pambungad na mensahe sa pagpupulong. “Katulad ng sinabi ng ating Mahal na Pangulo, peace and order is an important ingredient in our campaign for prosperity and development. Gano’n kahalaga ang pagtitipon natin ngayong araw at gano’n kabigat ang responsibilidad na nakaatang sa ating mga balikat,” dagdag niya. Dumalo sa 1st Joint NPOC-RPOC Meeting si Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio, mga opisyal ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Security Council (NSC), Department of Health (DOH), DILG, at mga LCEs. Nagpapatuloy ang pagpupulong ng mga opisyal sa Malacañang ngayong hapon, kung saan nakatakdang manumpa ang mga bagong RPOC Chairpersons at Vice Chairpersons sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Samantala, pinaalalahanan rin ni Abalos ang mga bagong talagang RPOC officials na ipagpatuloy ang magandang simulain ng kanilang mga konseho at palakasin ang kampanyang pangkapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng mga programang tutugon sa mga suliranin ng kanilang komunidad. “With this new term, let us look back on how much we have achieved from the past years. Let us continue to push for our new peace endeavors and spur development by bringing into play strategies relevant and responsive to our current set-up and beyond. We may be far from what we want to achieve but let us be inspired by what comes ahead of us. Peace does not happen overnight or by accident– we must fight for it, defend it, and strengthen it together,” ani Abalos. ###

Pinaalalahanan ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang mga local government units (LGUs) at DILG Regional Offices sa buong bansa na pinapayagan na ang in-person o pisikal na pagdaraos ng National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) matapos ang tatlong taong suspensyon buhat ng COVID-19 pandemic. Sa isang Advisory, binigyang-diin ng DILG na muli nang pinapayagan ang pisikal na pagsasagawa ng NSED, alinsunod sa kautusan ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). “Pursuant to NDRRMC Memorandum No. 006 s. 2023, dated February 01, 2023, the conduct of in-person NSED is already allowed, provided ‘that the minimum health protocols, such as, but not limited to, handwashing and social distancing are strictly implemented as much as practicable, to ensure effective, efficient and safe implementation of the NSED,” ani DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo L. Iringan sa naturang advisory. Sa nasabing Advisory, inatasan ang mga LGUs at DILG Regional Offices na magtalaga ng kani-kanilang Safety and Health Officers na sisiguro sa pagpapatupad ng minimum health protocols laban sa COVID-19 habang isinasagawa ang simultaneous earthquake drill. “The active participation of all disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMCs), including the barangay DRRM committees, is strongly encouraged,” dagdag ni Iringan. Inoorganisa ng NDRRMC ang quarterly NSED na naglalayong itaas ang kamalayan at kahandaan ng publiko sakaling magkaroon ng lindol. Isinagawa ang 1st Quarter NSED noong Marso 09, 2023; habang nakatakda naman ang 2nd Quarter NSED sa Hunyo 08; 3rd Quarter NSED sa Setyembre 07; at 4th Quarter NSED sa Nobyembre 09. Bilang Vice-Chair ng Disaster Preparedness ng NDRRMC, ang DILG ay inaasahang palakasin ang kapasidad ng mga LGU at gabayan sila sa pagbuo ng disaster preparedness and resiliency measures sa kanilang mga lokalidad. Ayon kay DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., magandang pagkakataon ang NSED upang subukan ang kahusayan at pagiging kapaki-pakinabang ng mga disaster response measures ng mga LGU. “Because of our location, our country is among the most vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes. This is why our LGUs should prioritize programs aimed at strengthening their disaster risk reduction and management,” ani Abalos. “Kaya naman umaasa ang aming Kagawaran na aktibong makikilahok ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa pagdaraos ng quarterly NSED upang magkaroon ng culture of disaster resilience ang mga komunidad,” dagdag ng Kalihim. ###

Extending the government’s fight against illegal drugs in the sporting arena, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. announced tonight its partnership with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in carrying out the goal of the Department’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program. “The partnership of DILG and PBA will not only strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs, but will also send out a message to the PBA teams, players and fans, that the league is against and will not tolerate the adverse effects of illegal drugs,” Abalos said. “We are aware that this is the first time, since its inception, that the PBA joined hands with the government in the fight against illegal drugs kaya una na po ang aming pasasalamat,” he added. Abalos said in a press conference held during the third quarter of Game 4 of the PBA Governor’s Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang Gilas that the government banks on the massive influence of basketball to Filipinos, especially the youth, in communicating BIDA’s objective. “BIDA is not only focused on supply reduction but is also centered on demand reduction. Usually, nakafocus ang mga pushers at suppliers sa mga bata. Sa basketball, kids have their idols. Whatever their idols do, susundin ng mga bata. We have to set a good example for our youth – napakalaking bagay if the players and the league themselves make a stand, saying that they are against illegal drugs” the Secretary added. He likewise emphasized the indispensable role of sports as a deterrent against the use of illegal drugs. “With this partnership, we expect to promote and advocate for sports as an effective solution to prevent the youth from subscribing to illegal drugs.” The DILG Chief said that through this collaboration, made official through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the PBA is expected to upscale its drug testing initiatives in accordance with Republic Act No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” among its players and staff. Under the said MOA, PBA players will also sport the BIDA program logo on their jerseys during PBA-sanctioned games and disseminate campaign collaterals and advocacy materials in an effort to increase awareness towards its widespread national platform regarding the dangers of illegal drugs. “’Whole-of-nation’ has always been our battle cry in the government’s fight against illegal drugs and in the implementation of BIDA. Nagpapasalamat kami sa PBA for answering the call and for joining us in this fight,” he said. PBA Chairman Ricky P. Vargas and League Commissioner Willie O. Marcial also presided over the formalization of the partnership through the signing of the MOA which they hoped would spark and reinvigorate the message of the BIDA program by leveraging the league’s audience and nationwide reach. “Dito sa PBA, nadaanan namin yung maraming krisis sa drugs, pero hindi namin binitawan. Katulad ng BIDA, we look at all the ways people get into illegal drugs and how they can be drug-free,” Vargas said. “We in the PBA believe in the process of recovery and reformation. I am pleased to tell you that in the last 6 years, the league has been drug-free. Kasama kami sa BIDA, dahil naniniwala kami sa BIDA,” he added. Abalos also stated that this partnership between the DILG and the PBA will serve as a springboard for the BIDA Workplace, a planned congregation of private companies that aims to strengthen the campaign’s directive by formulating independent drug policies. He likewise praised the independent efforts of the PBA in maintaining a drug-free working environment. “I would like to commend the efforts of the PBA in their intervention and preventive initiatives. Rest assured that with this collaboration, we will be able to take our advocacy to new heights.”###