Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – The Provincial Government of Mountain Province awarded the winners of the recently concluded 2020 Drug-Free Song Online Battle of the Bands and Drug-Free Song Online Dance Animation contests of the local Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) on November 19, 2020.
For the PADAC Battle of the Bands-Year 4, the Saint Vincent High School Band of Bontoc brought home the championship trophy while the Thearmuz Band of Masla, Tadian and the UpYoung Band of Sagada came in second and third places, respectively.
Out of nine entries for the dance animation contest, the Kilong Elementary School Group of Sagada bagged the first price while the only participating group from outside the province, the Hingyon Group of Ifugao was second and the Saint Vincent High School Group of Bontoc came third.
All participants for the two contests received PADAC t-shirts and certificates of participation and recognition. The first placers received a cash price of Php 10,000 while the second and third placers got Php 7,500 and Php 5,000, respectively. The other participating groups received Php 1,000 each as consolation prizes.
The online contests were initiated by Fr. Marcial Lloyd C. CastaHeda to sustain the province’s campaign against illegal drugs and was funded by the Provincial Government thru its local anti-drug abuse council.
During the awarding ceremony, Fr. CastaHeda expounded on the background of the contests. According to him, it aims to sustain the province’s campaign against illegal drugs thru social media, music and dance despite the current pandemic.
“We need to involve the youth in our advocacy against illegal drugs thru creativity like arts, dancing and music. These two beautiful elements of life are very attractive to the youth; hence, it makes sense to make use of them in our battle against illegal drugs and to sustain our being a drug-free community,” he said.
CastaHeda also thanked PADAC Chair and Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. for appreciating the activity and for assuring funds for the creativity contests. “Equally, we thank our PADAC Focal Person Angel B. Baybay for supporting and giving hope to the activity, the PADAC secretariat members for the follow ups, the PMFC for the social media engagements, our judges and all who make this activity possible,” he added.
In his message, Governor Lacwasan appreciated the importance of the activity in keeping the youth away from illegal drugs and other vices. The governor assured his office’s support to the continuation of the battle of the bands and the newly introduced dance contest.
“For our part, we will continue to support all PADAC activities and fund the sing and the dance contests because we believe that arts and music is a great help in our information campaign. With our continuous efforts, we believe that more youths will be inspired and will join us in our advocacy, the governor said.
Lacwasan also thanked the efforts of the PADAC members for a fruitful year despite the current pandemic and asked for their continuous support and dedication.
Meanwhile, to further inspire the participants, Vice-Gov. Francis O. Tauli expressed his message thru an “Uggyam” or as song. He reminded that the fight against illegal drugs is a continuous and a collective effort between the government and non-government institutions and the community as whole.
Moreover, PADAC members from the national line agencies were also in attendance to show their support to the activity.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-MP) Agent Edwin Changrapen acknowledged the importance of active youth participation as advocates for them to help and inspire their fellow youths towards a better path.
“As our country’s future, the development of our youths is very important. The war on drugs demonstrates our government’s commitment to protect law-abiding citizens, especially our children from the ill-effects of illegal drugs and other criminalities,” Changrapen said.
Furthermore, the message of PNP Provincial Director Homer M. Penicilla was delivered by PLt Col Crisante P. Sadino of the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office. He borrowed Dr. Jose Rizal’s adage, “The Youth is the Hope of our Nation,” to remind and challenge the youths on their important roles today and in the future.
“Your proactive participation in this program will surely make a huge impact to the community. Continue inspiring your fellow youths and continue to carry the beautiful things that you have started,” part of his message said.
Also, Master Head, Department of Interior and Local Government- Mountain Province (DILG-MP), Samson B. Appoy delivered the message of PADAC Head Secretariat and DILG-MP Provincial Director Anthony Manolo I. Ballug and congratulated all the participants for successfully joining the activity and in effect, supporting the good cause against illegal drugs. **Erwin S. Batnag
