Marilyn Cahatol

Thousands troop to the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City  for their Christmas Day outing, Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Article (news)

CHRISTMAS  DAY 2025

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Around 1,000 runners took part in the fourth anti-drug fun run organized by the Quezon City government on Sunday, May 17, as part of the early observance of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT).The activity, spearheaded by the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QCADAAC), will be held from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Boy Scout Circle along Tomas Morato Avenue, in line with the city’s Car-free, Care-free Tomas Morato Sundays program.The event aims to promote a healthy and drug-free lifestyle, particularly among the youth.Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, co-chairperson of QCADAAC, said the fun run has become a yearly initiative but is being held at a new venue this year.“This is our drug prevention and drug awareness campaign,” he added.Sotto also highlighted the city’s progress in its anti-drug efforts, noting a significant increase in the number of drug-cleared barangays over the years.“I’m really grateful para sa mga bumubuo ng CADAC because out of 142 barangays, we already have 104 drug-free barangays and the truth is nagstart itong drug-clearing natin around 2016, 2019. Nasa 22 lang yung simula,” he said.“Out of 142, masasabi ko na 80% ay okay na yung mga barangays. Although we still have a lot of work to do.”According to Sotto, trends in drug use in the city vary depending on location, but overall figures remain steady due to sustained anti-drug efforts.“Naka-steady lang yung nakikita naming numbers according sa reports ng Quezon City Police District, schools division, kasi tuloy-tuloy yung mga anti-drug efforts natin at drug awareness programs,” he said. He noted a shift in the source of illegal drugs, citing reports from authorities.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/1/11-drug-war-cops-dismissed-over-kidnapping-of-suspects-1156">11 drug war cops dismissed over ‘kidnapping’ of suspects</a></div>“Dati, ang trend kasi, yung Quezon City, doon nanggagaling lahat yung drugs. Ngayon, ang nakikita naming trend… from outside elements, pumapasok na instead of before na yung sa Quezon City nagsisimula lahat,” Sotto said.While cases in schools have declined, Sotto admitted more work is needed at the community level.The vice mayor emphasized the importance of prevention programs alongside enforcement and rehabilitation efforts.“Future plans is to continue to strengthen yung prevention program kasi nakikita namin na tuloy-tuloy yung enforcement, tuloy-tuloy yung mga rehabilitation program,” he said.“Yung prevention, that’s something that really works… very aggressive sila compared to before.”Sotto said initiatives like fun runs serve as a platform to encourage healthy alternatives and strengthen family and community ties.“Yung message kasi namin na gusto i-share dito is every step that you take away from drugs is a step towards winning that war against illegal drugs. And the only way to do that is to strengthen the families,” he said.He added that the city government aims to make all barangays drug-cleared by the end of the current administration’s term in 2028.Among the participants was Jopen Cañete, a second-year Sports Science student from PUP Manila who placed in the Top 3 of the run.“Personally po, sumali po ako to compete,” Cañete said.He said events like this help promote both physical health and awareness.“Effective po yung fun run na ito kasi napo-promote nito yung health ng tao which is ang pagtakbo, napagpapawisan po ang tao,” he added.While he acknowledged different circumstances surrounding drug use, Cañete shared a message of understanding and awareness.“Ayoko rin naman po sila i-judge, ang masasabi ko lang po sa kanila ay sana malaman po nila o mabuksan yung isipan nila na mali po yung paggamit ng drugs.”Meanwhile, incoming college student Christian Sumajit said he joined the event to better understand its advocacy.“Sumali po ako para maranasan ko kung ano yung nagiging takbukan namin at kung gaano ba kahalaga yung event na ’to kasi about siya sa anti-drug,” he said.Sumajit described the program as effective, especially for young people like him.“Na-encourage ako na mas piliin ito kesa magbisyo.”He also urged fellow youth to stay away from harmful activities and focus on self-improvement.“&#x27;Wag niyo pong ipilit sarili niyo sa masasamang bagay. Unahin niyo na lang po muna yung sarili niyo na maging maayos lalo na po &#x27;yung may mga kabataan talaga na ka-edad ko na humihinto sa pag-aaral,” he said.“Humanap po kayo ng tamang paglilibangan na makakabuti po sa inyo.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/5/1/15-000-runners-set-for-star-wars-night-run-at-moa-complex-1751">15,000 runners set for Star Wars Night Run at MOA Complex</a></div><div> </div><div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/louEQnXZ7gQ?si=fLU0o3sQ_2GHzJDL" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

Around 1,000 runners took part in the fourth anti-drug fun run organized by the Quezon City government on Sunday, May 17, as part of the early observance of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT).

Around 1,000 runners took part in the fourth anti-drug fun run organized by the Quezon City government on Sunday, May 17, as part of the early observance of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT).

QC eyes full drug-clear barangays by 2028, holds fun run drive

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QC eyes full drug-clear barangays by 2028, holds fun run drive

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 17, 2026 09:05 AM PHT

Read More:

Quezon City

Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

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