ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez and DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos Jr. (2nd and 3rd from left) during the MOA signing, with ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak and COO of broadcast Cory VidanesAbs-cbn and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) inked a partnership to support the government agency’s anti-illegal drugs advocacy campaign, “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” or BIDA.

At the memorandum of agreement signing event were ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak and COO of broadcast Cory Vidanes, DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos Jr. and DILG undersecretaries and other officials.

Abalos highlighted ABSCBN’s strong reach and its artists’ influence on the public.

“Ang tinatarget ng droga ay mga bata at may mga role model sila. Kung ang bata ay babaguhin ang lifestyle at attitude to be healthy, malaking bagay. Dito papasok ‘yung tinatawag na role modeling. Alam natin na ang ABS-CBN ay talagang sikat po sila rito. Marami kayong mga artist na talagang role models of our youth. Malaking bagay po ito kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa ABS-CBN for this memo signing po,” said Abalos.

ABS-CBN’s commitment to the antidrug campaign dates back to 2017 when the company helped the government boost its antidrug campaign, with select Star Magic artists raising public awareness about the harmful effects of illegal drugs.

(Story/Photos by:Kane Choa)