The City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) of the City Government of Davao bagged two third-place honors in the âKomunikasyon Korek 2021: Tamang Mensahe, Tamang Aksion para sa Healthy Pilipinasâ drug prevention media campaign competition of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) held at the Diamond Hotel in Makati City on April 27, 2022.
CADAC Chair Michael Denton “Mikey” Aportadera, in an interview with Byaheng Do30, said that Davao City was among the seven local government units (LGUs) and the only one from Mindanao invited to attend the awarding rites of the competition, which was held in partnership with the Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States Department of State (USDS).
The contest was conducted under the theme, âCommunicating right information relating to COVID-19.â
“I’m very happy that our entries were given due notice sa mga efforts sa atoang mga drug reformists nato (I’m very happy that our entries were given due notice over our efforts for our drug reformists). There were three categories – short video, traditional poster, and digital poster. These entries aim to create awareness in the rest of the country on the efforts of reforming people through proper programs of the LGUs. We won third place in both traditional and digital poster categories,” he said.
However, the city’s short video entry failed to win. Aportadera said the video created by Davao’s drug reformists may have just been “too real” for people to accept, considering that he allowed them to create and express themselves through the posters and the short video. He only oriented them on the guidelines and mechanics.
He brought some drug reformists with him to the awarding program, and they were so happy to be given the opportunity to be recognized by the UNODC.
The CADAC chair, who also heads the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO), said: “Daghan kaayong salamat sa inyong cooperation kay ang kadaugan sa atoang LGU tungod sa inyoha,
dili lang sa amoa, ug kadaugan pud ni sa atong mga ginatabangan na kaigsoonan na duna’y problema sa droga (Thank you for your cooperation, the victory of our LGU is because of you, it’s not just us, and also this is a victory for those we have been helping with their drug problem). Congratulations to the City of Davao, we encourage other people to be inspired to help people to change. Some people need our help. Give them hope and they will become better citizens.”
Joining the competition provided excitement to the city’s drug reformists as it boosted their pride and confidence as they see their works shown as a part of the UNODC’s campaign against drugs and crimes.
“To be given this opportunity means a lot to us because we all know Davao City is very stern with the advocacy against drugs. This is a big pride for Dabawenyos that we made it into this competition. For our efforts in the community to be recognized really makes me happy,” Aportadera added.
He said CADAC will continue its community-based rehabilitation program, education awareness program in schools, and random drug testing in private establishments and business sectors with 10 or more employees as part of the renewal of their business permits.
CADAC also partnered with the Department of Education (DEPED) as the latter included in its curriculum modules to avoid illegal drugs for grades 4 to 12, which were translated into Arabic for Muslim students. CIO
