DAVAO ORIENTAL –As part of the Provincial Government’s relentless efforts to achieve a drug-free province, the observance of the Drugs Prevention and Control Week was focused on the youth— the sector considered as the most vulnerable to illegal drug abuse.
The event, which kicked off with a color fun run and color zumba on November 18 at the City’s Baywalk Park, was attended by various youth organizations here.
Bannering the theme, “Listen First: Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe,” Provincial Administrator and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council Action Officer Art Benjie Bulaong said that the event aims to promotes public awareness against the ill effects of illegal drugs, as well as encourages public cooperation to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
To further educate the youth on the ills of drugs, various Drug Prevention and Control symposia were held in Lupon School of Fisheries, Governor Generoso College of Arts, Science and Technology, and Badas National High School. In Barangay Pintatagan, Municipality of Banaybanay, wherein residents and Barangay functionaries were the audience.
During the week-long celebration, competitions which boosted the youth’s boundless energy and artistic enthusiasm were held. These include the spoken poetry, power dance, essay writing, and painting.
Vice Governor Niño Sotero Uy, who represented Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, emphasized in his speech the importance of implementing programs that centers on the youth being the “most potent force in our society, the power of humanity, the next in line, the meaning of our future, the hope of our father land.”
“I believe that more than ever in this administration under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and of course under the leadership of the Provincial Governor Honorable Nelson Dayanghirang, has intensified the campaign against illegal drugs. But as PADAC Action officer said the youth are the most vulnerable sector to illegal drugs. So this is an opportune time to inculcate in our minds that whatever the government does, still the choice for a better and meaningful future lies within us. We hope that we continue to forge alliance and partnership,” Vice Governor Uy told a crowd of youth.
During the culmination program on November 23 at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, the New Leaders for Development (NLD Youth) program was launched as the new component on its LIHOK-NLD Program. This new leaders will focus on the prevention of illegal drugs proliferation by conducting different activities that increase public awareness on the ills of drugs. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
