
Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto will lead the Buhay ay Ingatan Droga ay Ayawan (BIDA) Fun Run at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, 19 November 2023, at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
Sotto said this is in line with the city's partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the nation's fight against illegal drugs.
He added that the BIDA fun run will bolster engagement with the community and the youth sector in crafting initiatives to address the drug problem down to the city and community level.
"We encourage every QCitizens, the youth sector to join and engage in these endeavors, in our fight against illegal drugs," Sotto said.
Thousands of anti-illegal drug advocates have already expressed their full participation to show the city's continuous efforts in raising awareness and encouraging the community's participation in the country's war against illegal drugs.
Sotto was also a co-chairman, along with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, of the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QCADAAC) which addresses not only the drug menace but also rehabilitates the victims of illegal drugs used, and informs the QCitizens about the dangers of using illegal drugs.
Launch on 7 October 2022, the DILG's BIDA Program, is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and other key sectors of society that will focus more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation.
Sotto said the BIDA Fun Run is one way of encouraging every Filipino to join the BIDA Program which is in line with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. administration's commitment to continue the campaign against illegal drugs "within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and with focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development."
Sotto said the QC BIDA Fun Run is called BIDA KA daBARKADS! with a theme "Takbo laban sa Droga: Malusog na Pangangatawan at Matalas na Kaisipan."