Kidapawan LGU appeals to student leaders for online campaign against drugs

CITY OF KIDAPAWAN, North Cotabato – The city government has called on student leaders to step up its online campaign against illegal drugs during the launch here Wednesday of “Droga ay Iwasan, Labanan at Baklasin (DILAAB) – Kidapawan”.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the program aims to intensify the involvement of young leaders in the fight against illegal drugs in support of the Local Government Unity (LGU) campaign.

At the launch, the 13 student leaders – Andriebonn Dimaano, Ian Jay Sapitula, Kayezyl Lacia, Mary Flor Avellanoza, Mark Anthony Aviles, Arch Benzal, Olivia Perez Ojeda, Louis Ann Alquiza, Jomarie Gonzales, Ace Benedict Acosta, Krizza Castro, Rodelo Balaso , and Rey Alvin Lumayon – were sworn in before the mayor in a simple ceremony.

Student leaders are enrolled in online courses at various colleges here. Schools in the city are currently closed for a semester break.

Evangelista urged young leaders to influence their friends and classmates online to avoid involvement in illegal drug-related activities.

“Rest assured that the LGU is 100% behind you in this campaign,” he said.

He also assured the students that the city government will continue its commitment to fight illegal drugs in support of national government agencies such as the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of the Interior and local communities; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police.

Student leaders are expected to organize forums, online or small face-to-face gatherings, to discuss the importance of the campaign and the effects of illegal drug use.

DILAAB is another city government initiative outside of the “Balik Pangarap” program which has helped fully rehabilitate 1,067 illegal drug users in this city since 2016. (ANP)