Mindanaotoday.com | BLGU Mate introduces BIDA program to community
By: Charlene Collantes
BACOLOD, LANAO DEL NORTE – The barangay government of Mate here launched the Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program to raise awareness on the ill effects of dangerous drugs through an information drive on April 3.
Barangay Mate Chairperson Joel Bucol emphasized the importance of life and how drugs can tear families apart.
“Let’s send the message to every corner of our barangay about how important our lives are. We need to encourage them to avoid drugs. Because drugs bring nothing. They will only harm our families and can cause problems in our barangay,” he said.
Meanwhile, Engr. Buenafe Panoril, Bacolod municipal planning and development coordinator, shared that the LGU has programs for drug-affected individuals and families.
“Through our Peace and Order and Public Safety Fund and also our Drug Abuse Council, we endorse a resolution that the municipality will fund this program to support and sustain the affected families and affected individuals,” he said.
Moreover, according to Melanie Baciete, Bacolod’s drug-cleared municipal focal person, of the 16 barangays in the town, 12 are drug-cleared and two are unaffected.
“The Department of Social Welfare and Development gives them livelihood programs. Those who have not graduated from high school can enroll in the Alternative Learning System program,” she said.
Graduates of the town’s Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Center (CBDRC), which helps drug addicts heal their bodies, minds, and souls through counseling and other therapeutic sessions, were also at the BIDA launch.
Mate also started a program called Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay, which encourages people to get involved in farming. Residents received free vegetable and fruit seeds. (CEC | PIA-10 | Lanao del Norte)
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