Bacolod to Host Int’l Day Against Drug Abuse on June 26

The City of Bacolod will host participants from across the country during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) 2017 on June 26.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order Tuesday creating the Task Force IDADAIT 2017 Celebration which he chairs, with Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), as co-chair.

Richard Nessia, coordinator of Community Anti-Drug Coalition of Bacolod (CADCOB), said this would be the first time the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) would hold the IDADAIT event outside Luzon.

“They chose Bacolod City because of its recent awards as the most livable and top model city in the country,” he said.

Nessia said about 5,000 participants from various cities and municipalities are expected to attend during the assembly at the Bacolod public plaza.

Those who have confirmed attendance are delegations from Makati City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Quezon City, San Pedro, Laguna, and Tanay, Rizal.

DDB Executive Director Ma. Belen Angelita Matibag and Deputy Executive Director for Operations Earl Saavedra will lead the event, with House Deputy Speaker Mercedes Alvarez, representative of the Sixth District of Negros Occidental, as the guest speaker.

On December 7, 1987, the United Nations drafted the Resolution No. 42-112 to observe June 26 of every year as the IDADAIT as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drugs.

Proclamation No. 264 was also promulgated by former President Corazon Aquino on June 1, 1988, declaring June 26 of every year as IDADAIT under the guidance of the DDB. (Nanette L. Guadalquiver/PNA)