Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos recently met with various sectors in Iloilo City for the Usapang Bida, an open dialogue and discussion with key stakeholders on illegal drugs and other issues affecting their localities.
Strengthening peoples’ participation and involvement in the planning and implementation of programs in the fight against illegal drugs is one of the pillars of the BIDA program.
This has been an integral activity every BIDA event.
The Usapang Bida is utilizing a multi-sectoral approach where participants identify prevailing concerns and policy gaps on illegal drugs in the communities, and advance recommendations and solutions.
During the dialogue, Abalos called on the Ilonggos to identify urgent issues that need resolution even as he urged a collective and whole-of-nation approach against the serious problem of illegal drugs in the country.
“This is the essence of BIDA, listening to the various sectors for the solution seeking process. Iba ang problema ng mga komunidad sa bundok, iba ang mga suliranin sa mga lungsod. Bumababa po tayo. Ito po ang Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program,” he said.
He added: “Ang solusyon sa droga ay nasa ating lahat. Itong problemang ito, lalabanan natin ito sa Iloilo City.”
During the sectoral break out sessions, among the key issues identified were the increasing number of illegal drugs-related cases involving the youth; growing number of persons deprived of liberty; and repetitive availment of plea-bargaining agreement.
They then agreed on strategies to address the issues.
Among these strategies include empowerment of key stakeholders; improved security and safety measures; availability of sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration programs; centralized database on plea bargaining agreements; and continuous dialogue among all parties concerned.
He likewise prodded barangay officials to support the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and strengthen their efforts on the ground. “Kaya ang mga barangay captains natin, kailangan ko ang tulong ninyo lalo na ang mga bantay-bayan.”
Participating sectors include Iloilo city officials and representatives from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, barangay officials, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials who prepared the multi-agency and stakeholders’ plan and commitment.
