By Erwin S. Batnag
BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial government 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 Nov. 19.
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 UpYoung band of Sagada came second and third place, 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 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 cash price of P10,000 while the second and third placers got P7,500 and P5,000, respectively.
Other participating groups received P1,000 each as consolation prizes.
Online contests were initiated by Fr. Marcial Lloyd C. Castaňeda to sustain the province's campaign against illegal drugs.
It was funded by the provincial government through its local anti-drug abuse council.
During the awarding ceremony, Fr. Castaňeda said the contests aimed to sustain the province’s campaign against illegal drugs through social media, music and dance despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We need to involve the youth in our advocacy against illegal drugs through 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.
Castaňeda also thanked PADAC chairman and Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. for appreciating the activity and assuring funds for the 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, Gov. Lacwasan cited importance of the activities to keep 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 PADAC members for a fruitful year despite the pandemic and asked for their continuous support and dedication.
Vice-Gov. Francis O. Tauli expressed his message through an “Uggyam” or as song. He reminded that the fight against illegal drugs is a continuous and a collective effort between the government, non-government institutions and the community.
PADAC members from the national line agencies were also in attendance to show their support to the activity.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agent Edwin Changrapen acknowledged importance of the youth as advocates in inspiring their fellow youths towards a better path.
The message of PNP provincial director Homer M. Penicilla was delivered by Lt. Col. Crisante P. Sadino of the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office.
He cited 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.
Dept. of Interior and Local Government’s Samson B. Appoy delivered the message of PADAC head secretariat and DILG-MP provincial director Anthony Manolo I. Ballug and congratulated participants for joining the activity and supporting fight against illegal drugs.
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