Central Luzon – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has entered into a partnership with state universities and colleges (SUCs) within Central Luzon, aimed at enhancing the government’s efforts to combat illegal drugs.
According to Philippines News Agency, a memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday with four regional SUCs to back the 'Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan' (BIDA) program. Nuyda announced that the President Ramon Magsaysay State University in Zambales, Bataan Peninsula State University, Tarlac State University, and Aurora State College of Technology have all expressed their commitment to the initiative.
The BIDA program, as highlighted by Nuyda during a news broadcast, has already mobilized students from these institutions as advocates against illegal drugs. These students have participated in BIDA symposiums at their respective universities, gaining insights into the significance of a drug-free lifestyle and responsible living.
The symposiums, which form a key element of the drug-demand reduction strategy under the BIDA program, aim to inform and educate the youth about the negative impacts of illegal drugs, promoting self-discipline and enlisting students as allies in the fight against drug issues. Nuyda detailed that these events also featured contributions from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of Health, offering expert perspectives on the complexities of illegal drugs, relevant laws, and the terminology used in drug-demand reduction efforts.
DILG’s Region 3 partnership with SUCs spans the seven provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and includes the highly urbanized cities of Olongapo and Angeles. The aim is to extend the campaign to more youth, promoting the vision of drug-free communities.
Nuyda concluded with an aspiration for the initiative, expressing the continuous hope to instill the value of a drug-free and responsible lifestyle among the younger generations.