The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged local government units (LGUs) to prepare their action plans against illegal drugs ahead of the launch of the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (Bida) program.
Interior Secretary Benjur Abalos earlier encouraged provincial and city or municipal local chief executives to formulate their anti-drug action plans within their first 200 days in office.
“Our anti-illegal drugs campaign takes a whole-of-government approach which would only be efficient if we are able to execute plans…down at the grassroots. It is imperative that our LGUs work with us and draft their respective [action plans] in the barangays,” Abalos said.
“Ang focus po natin ngayon ay pakikiisa ng lahat sa laban sa iligal na droga hanggang sa grassroots, katulad din ng ating Bida program,” he added.
Abalos said the LGUs’ action plans should include the illegal drugs situation in their jurisdictions; priority anti-illegal drugs issues and challenges; objectives to address issues and challenges; and critical policies, programs, projects, services and activities, among others.
By doing this, Abalos said the LGUs could “significantly contribute” to the Bida program, the government’s “revitalized anti-drug advocacy campaign” that aims to reduce drug use at the grassroots level with the support of LGUs, national government agencies, private sectors, faith-based organizations and civil society organizations.
The planning and submission of action plans will be until December 2022, the DILG said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro