The City of Santa Rosa in Laguna has been recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its support of the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program.
Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas personally accepted the recognition from DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. in the BIDA Bayanihan ng Mamamayan Fun Run on March 12 at Greenfield City in Santa Rosa.
According to the Certificate of Recognition, “The DILG IV-A honors the LGU’s efforts to intensify and empower the communities to reduce drug demand, raise public awareness on the ill-effects of drugs and destigmatize drug addiction in the community and unwavering support to the Buhay Ingatan, Driga Ayawan (BIDA) Program.”
The acknowledgment was personally signed by Abalos.
The City of Santa Rosa served as the host for the regional launch of the BIDA Program.
Also, the city was praised, particularly its Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center, for its contribution to reducing the demand for illegal drugs in the region.
“The Department honors the Center’s contribution to drug demand reduction through the provision of treatment applications on substance use, strategy development for drug use prevention, and after-care programs for drug dependents,” said Abalos.
In her message, Mayor Arcillas said the city is doing its programs against illegal drugs not only in compliance with the national government but because of the local government’s goal to protect its citizens.
“We are doing this not only because we were mandated to do it but because it is our advocacy here to promote peace order and to create a safe community for everyone,” said the Mayor.
According to Arcillas, the City of Santa Rosa was the first city government to build its own Rehabilitation Center in the country when the campaign against illegal drugs was first implemented during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte. “And now, we are strengthening our resolve through this advocacy – Buhay Ingatan, Droga ay Ayawan program,”
The mayor also supports the anti-illegal drug programs of other local governments in the region in her capacity as Chairman of the Chairperson of the Regional Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development, as well as a representative of the mayor in the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and as a regional representative in the League of Cities.
Apart from Abalos and Arcillas, DILG undersecretaries and directors of various regional government agencies also attended.
Laguna Board Member Danzel Fernandez and Santa Rosa City Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas also joined together with other officials of the city and its barangays, and mayors from neighboring towns and cities who showed support for the campaign.
