The Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program has gained anti-illegal drugs advocates among the youth of Cagayan de Oro with the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Xavier University (XU)-Ateneo De Cagayan.
This is in accordance with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive for a whole-of-nation approach in the campaign against illegal drugs.
“I am glad and grateful for the DILG’s partnership with XU-Ateneo de Cagayan. Thank you very much for joining us in our fight against illegal drugs through our BIDA Program,” DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said.
He stressed the important role of the schools and the church in the whole-of-nation BIDA campaign as they dwell on the holistic formation of the values of the youth and help them lead productive lives away from the temptation of illegal drugs.
DILG Region X Regional Director Wilhelm Suyko, who signed the MOA on behalf of the DILG, said youth involvement is a significant and strategic approach to further strengthen the advocacy of the program.
“The good thing about this partnership is that this will also be an opportunity to involve the youth in this campaign. We believe that our students could make a change and that they are our instruments in communicating effectively with the youth as well,” Suyko said.
Under the MOA, the regional office shall spearhead the dissemination of select BIDA-produced IEC materials through appropriate platforms and the coordination of BIDA-related activities with university representatives.
On the other hand, students of the XU-Ateneo de Cagayan’s College of Agriculture’s Development Communication Department (DevCom) shall engage in the production of BIDA-related Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials such as Public Service Announcements (PSA), communication plan, posters, and infographic materials.
XU University President Fr. Mars P. Tan, SJ said the BIDA program embodies the value of cura personalis, a hallmark of Ignatian spirituality that emphasizes the promotion of human dignity and care for the other person. Vince Lopez