Almost 200 Kasubaykers and bike enthusiasts in Antique pedaled against illegal drugs and towards a drug-free community through the “Cyclista Kontra Droga” initiative of the University of Antique (UA) in celebration of World Bicycle Day, June 2, 2024.

IA1 Jay R R. Espares, Assistant Provincial Officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), served as Resource Speaker and raised awareness regarding the different kinds of drugs, and the penalties that are imposed upon the violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., University President, stated that UA imbedded in its bicycle activity its advocacy against anti-illegal drugs to highlight that there are a lot of wholesome activities, like biking, that can be done to prevent the youth from experimenting in illegal drugs. He also stressed the importance of choosing good friends or barkada as they have a big influence in the lives of the students.

“If you have good friends with you pati ikaw mabutong sa ikamayad, that’s why in the University of Antique we have the association called Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD). We wanted the group to expand nga tanan nga Kasubay is a member of the group, ano man ang sitwasyon mo sa kabuhi, whatever you believe in, welcome ikaw, free ikaw,” Dr. Crespo added.

Also present during the activity were the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons from the different barangays in the Municipality of Sibalom with whom Dr. Crespo hoped to make the advocacy against illegal drugs become part of their advocacies in their respective barangays.

Moreover, the BKD officers were inducted into office and participants took their commitment oath to stay free from illegal drugs and signed the commitment wall during the program.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Sibalom, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Sibalom, and the Philippine Army also participated in the said activity which was organized by the BKD Association, UA Student Government, and Bachelor of Physical Education (BPED) students.