Groups promise to help strengthen the BIDA programme in Caraga
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BIDA PROGRAM. Seventy-seven advocacy groups pledge their support for the strengthening of the 'Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan' or BIDA program during the validation process on Wednesday (Sept. 13, 2023) at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office-Caraga Region in Butuan City. The BIDA program was launched in the region on July 1. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13)
MindanaoHerald | Groups promise to help strengthen the BIDA programme in Caraga | BUTUAN CITY – An official from the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) said on Thursday that the government’s “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) programme has a lot of support from different groups in the area.
“These groups come from different parts of the region, like the academic world, religious groups, civil society organisations, and the media,” PRO-13 Information Chief Maj. Jennifer Ometer said in an interview.
During the BIDA validation process on Wednesday, she said, at least 77 groups that help with lobbying promised to back the programme.
Ometer said that the PRO-13 and the Department of the Interior and Local Government were glad to have the help of the groups, which would make it easier to keep fighting the drug problem in the area.
Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, who is the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) deputy chief for administration, Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, who is the PNP’s acting director for operations, and lawyer Cherry Ann Dela Cruz, who is the head of the Anti-Crime Coalition for Peace and Progress International, all attended the event on Wednesday.
In a statement released Thursday, Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft, who is in charge of PRO-13, said that fighting illegal drugs needs to be done in many different ways.
Kraft said, “We commit to making more significant steps to reduce both the demand for and supply of illegal drugs, and to strengthen our partnerships and work with all our stakeholders on this issue.”
Sermonia, on the other hand, praised the support of the region’s partners in the fight against illegal drugs.
“We want each of you to be a strong partner in the PNP’s ongoing fight against illegal drugs, which is based on honesty and openness. “You are also our partners in promoting internal discipline among our staff to make them respectable, reliable, and well-disciplined,” he said.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. led the start of the BIDA programme in the area at the beginning of last month.
Since it started, the PRO-13 has worked with campaign groups to do different things to stop the use of illegal drugs.
Some of the events are information drives and conferences at schools, local government offices, and other places. (via PNA)
