BIDA march is largest vs. illegal drugs – Guinness

MANILA, Philippines – The Grand Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA) rally staged on Saturday made it to the Guinness World Records (formerly the Guinness Book of World Records) as "Largest March Against Illegal Drugs." BIDA was participated in by tens of thousands of public school children accompanied by their parents and teachers. Many celebrities also joined the march, acknowledging their responsibility to serve as role models of the youth. BIDA is a massive information campaign launched in 2003 to educate children between 6 and 12 years old on the dangers of substance abuse. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo then lead the oath taking of thousands of children into the BIDA Kids Club. Guinness representatives awarded the certificate at about 5:30 p.m. to Chairman Efraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), who received in on behalf of Pagcor and the BIDA Foundation. Representing Guinness were adjudications executive Lucia Sinigagliesi from Italy and digital content manager Denise Anlander. Pagcor vice president for corporate communications Dodie King said the exact number of marchers would be announced later. "We are very excited because this is a statement to the world that we Filipinos made to the world record as the first nation to do and this is a stand that we are against drugs," King said. The BIDA march started at 1 p.m. with the assembly point set at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. From there, the marchers passed by Rajah Sulayman Park to be scanned and counted before proceeding to the Quirino Gandstand at the Luneta where a program and free concert featuring some of the country’s hottest bands and young stars were held. "This is the time to take a stand as a nation," Genuino said. "By participating in the Grand BIDA March, we do not only show the entire nation, but the whole world that Filipino people are one against the fight versus illegal drugs. Let us work together to make our country a safer place to live. We owe it to our children and to future generations." BIDA Foundation corporate secretary Josephine Evangelista explained that the march was all about creating awareness. "We want to grab the public’s attention not only locally but in a global scale," she said. "The march is a massive event in which our schoolchildren will play a vital role in leading a battle cry against illegal drugs. Our children want to win this war and this is their venue." Saturday's march took a lot of coordination to pull off. Spearheaded by Pagcor and the BIDA Foundation, it had the support from various government agencies and nongovernment organizations, like the Department of Education, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Dangerous Drugs Board. The Department of Transportations and Communications provided free MRT and LRT rides for all registered participants and the Department of Public Works and Highways allowed BIDA to make use of their railings apart and provided at least 1,800 volunteers. Maynilad help provide free water stations in the area, while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) provided medical volunteers and set up first-aid booths. - GMANews.TV