First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos on Thursday joined Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. in pushing private sector participation in winning the fight against illegal drugs.

Mrs. Marcos graced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the government and other stakeholders for the BIDA or “Buhay Ingatan, Droga ay Ayawan” program at the Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood, Quezon City.

The First Lady told representatives from about 20 top business corporations in the country that they could help President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-nation approach against narcotics.

She recounted that, as a practicing lawyer, she had been engaged by families with members that ran afoul of the law after getting hooked on drugs.

“By involving the private sector in this no-holds-barred fight, we will enlighten the public about the dangers of illegal drugs,” she said.

“On behalf of my husband, thank you for your commitment. We are one in this undertaking,” she added.

Abalos said the collaboration between the government and private sector has been tested by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The war against drugs will take a new course when we are with you in this BIDA program,” Abalos told executives from the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, SM, Max’s, Jollibee, Meralco, Maynilad and the MVP Group.

The BIDA program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is focused on the rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons.