Valenzuela school children nix drug abuse thru art

Elementary pupils raise a fistful in support of anti-drug abuse initiatives of the local government.


An interesting play of colors and words jazzed up by Valenzuela City elementary and high school students conveyed powerful messages against drug abuse at the recent jingle, slogan and poster making contest organized by the DepEd Division of City Schools of Valenzuela.

The contest was done in collaboration with the Valenzuela City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) chaired by City Mayor WIN Gatchalian to drum up public support for the anti-drug abuse initiatives of the city.

VADAC Action Officer Antonio Espiritu said having anti-drug abuse advocacies the youth can actively participate in will help empower them with the right set of information and attitude. Authorities have claimed awareness and firm acceptance to these set of principles will deliberately keep people off the risk, thus effectively curbing the prevalence of drug dependency.

This cycle reflects on the recommendations made by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) to emphasize campaigns aimed at values formation among the youth.

Presidential Proclamation No. 124 of 2001 declares the second or third week of November of every year as Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week to promote public awareness against the evil effects of illegal drug use, as well as encourage public cooperation in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

With this development, participating students from public and private schools were able to produce effective materials that will be officially incorporated in VADAC creative communication campaigns.

For the high school category, Sitero Francisco National High School was handed first place and a P10,000 prize money for its jingle penned by Virgilio Santos. The composition that carries the lines “gobyerno man eskwelahan at ating pamilya, tayo’y magtulong-tulong puksain natin ang droga” also bagged additional P3,000 for originality.

Parada National High School meanwhile claimed first place and P3,000 cash prize for its slogan “Walang lugar ang droga sa pamayanang may disiplina at nagkakaisa.” An interpretation of war on drug abuse as a community effort from the Canumay East High School capped the top prize for the poster making contest with P3,000 prize money.

Top prizes for the elementary category on the other hand went to Bignay Elementary School for the jingle making contest with an original composition titled “Kilos Mamamayan, Droga ay Labanan” by Rodel Azana. The entry won a total of P10,000 plus P3,000 for originality.

A slogan from Gen. T. de Leon National High School made the cut with a P3,000 prize for the line “Ipinagbabawal na droga ay hindi papasa sa mamamayang nagkakaisa.” An illustration from the Lingunan Elementary School made it to the list with a P3,000 prize.

Dr. Bryan Ilan, Program Supervisor-in-Charge, described the initiative against drug dependency as “herculean” but called on all sectors to remain vigilant and undaunted by “institutionalizing collaborative efforts.”

Speaking before a young audience at the SM Valenzuela Supercenter, DepEd-Valenzuela City Division Superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari called on everyone to stand against drug abuse and adopt it as their own personal battle.

Text and Photos by Mark Lester S. Cayabyab for the Valenzuela City Public Information Office

http://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/press.php?id=200900588&tbl=press