Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary (DILG) Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Saturday underscored the critical role of the family in the country’s war against illegal drugs.
“Let’s help our brothers, our children,” he said in his message during the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’s Ayawan (BIDA) program’s first year anniversary celebration in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
“Let’s show the beauty of life, the right education, the right friends and let them have the confidence to say no to drugs,” Abalos added.
Abalos urged families to proactively support the government in fighting the longstanding influence of illegal drugs among Filipino youth.
“Comrades, remember this: all parents hope for their child is a good future. But what does it (illegal drugs) do? The future of our children will be destroyed. We will not allow that,” he said.
“We will fight drugs. And we will win here,” the interior secretary added.
Abalos continued that the national government, through its law enforcement units—Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and National Bureau of Investigation—remains undeterred in its pursuit of stamping out the scourge of illegal drugs in the country.
However, the DILG chief also qualified that every family’s full cooperation is paramount in ensuring their success.
Abalos advised attendees to focus on guiding the youth in building healthy habits, while authorities would focus on drug supply reduction efforts.
“They (authorities) hunt. But while they cut the branch of the tree, we (parents) will take care of the children,” he said.
Abalos cited some reasons for drug use among youth are peer pressure (barkada), experimentation, and family problems.
He noted that those factors can be prevented by guiding kids toward the right path, and showing them that life is worth living even without illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III, represented by Board Member Shiela Baniqued, thanked the DILG for the BIDA program and assured the province’s support in the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs.