The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH), other government agenes, and private partners to launch a campaign encouraging Filipinos to change and practice preventive behaviors to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
During the BIDA Solusyon sa Covid-19 Partners online launch Friday, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the department last year launched the Disiplina Muna campaign aimed to rebuild the culture of discipline among Filipinos and foster citizen participation.
Malaya said the campaign was an offshoot of the road-clearing program of the DILG wherein it cleared all obstructions from roads and banned the presence of tricycles in national highways.
“And when the DOH came out with BIDA solusyon, which is an information campaign against Covid-19 which focuses on the four aspects: B-awal walang mask, I-sanitize ang mga kamay, D-umistansya ng isang metro, A-lamin ang totoong impormasyon (face mask is a must, sanitize your hands, keep a one-meter distance, and get the real information), we were inspired to work closely with them in this campaign,” he said.
Malaya said they consider the two campaigns as complementary in addressing the Covid-19, resulting in collaboration underscoring the importance of preventive health measures in the minds of the Filipinos as a way to beat the pandemic.
He said they will be distributing posters and campaign materials in all local government unit offices nationwide.
Posters bearing the photos of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and other heroes wearing face masks will be provided to different provinces, he said, adding this will “appeal to our sense of nationalism”.
The DILG will also be conducting online training for all public information officers in different LGU’s on the anti-fake news campaign.
Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Ramon Cualoping III committed to help communicate to the public about important measures to beat Covid-19.
“Everyone should do his part in this fight and that begins by changing our behaviors,” he said. (PNA)