In the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8 in partnership with the line agencies conducted the BIDA Sportsfest on July 17, 2023, at Camp Sec. Ruperto K. Kangleon, PNP Regional Office 8.
The Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program is the government’s main effort to combat the abuse of drugs. This year’s BIDA Sportsfest is anchored by the theme, Mabaskog: Fostering Physical Activities, Cultivating Resilience, and Uniting against Illegal Drugs. The four-day sportsfest features a variety of athletic activities and serves as a symbol of the BIDA Program’s all-encompassing holistic strategy for promoting drug awareness via wellness and sports.
“This [BIDA Sportsfest] is a symbol of unity that embodies the essence of teamwork and perseverance. Our collective participation in this sports activity speaks volume. It sends a resounding message to those who perpetuate the drug trade that the DILG family together with PDEA are united, unbreakable, and determined to eradicate the menace that plagues our society,” DILG 8 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe stressed in his opening message.
He also shared that this event serves as a reminder to everyone that the battle against illegal drugs cannot be won by isolated individuals or fragmented agencies or entities. It requires the collective effort of a united community bound together by a shared vision of a drug-free Eastern Visayas and a drug-free nation.
PBGEN Vincent Calanoga, the Regional Director of the PNP Regional Office 8, reiterated that the values of camaraderie and sportsmanship should always be present. He also shared the need to create similar activities to amplify our campaign against illegal drugs at the community level.
During the opening event, a symbolic dance of the BIDA song was performed by the line agencies in Region 8 present, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and DILG.
The four-day BIDA Sportsfest also highlights games such as basketball and volleyball and showcases the talents and expertise of selected personnel and representatives in sports of each line agency.
