Thousands march versus illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines - It’s official.

The Grand Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA) March yesterday is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Largest March Against Illegal Drugs.”

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) spokesman Dodie King yesterday announced that representatives from Guinness awarded the certificate to Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino, who received it on behalf of Pagcor and Grand BIDA.

“We are very excited about it (the recognition). It is a statement that we Filipinos made it to (Guinness). This is a statement of the Filipinos to the world that we are against illegal drugs,” said King.

“But the exact number (of participants) will have to come later because they still have to verify it,” he said.

Police initially estimated the number of participants between 50,000 and 70,000, but others reported some 500,000 people.

Guinness adjudications executive Lucia Sinigagliesi said, “We have been following the developments ever since. The march was for a good cause.”

She clarified that the Philippines would not be breaking any record since this is the first time that a country or an organization has undertaken such a feat.

Organizers said children, with ages ranging from six to 12, accompanied by their parents joined the march.

“Some participants were unable to make it because of the heavy traffic. But whether the number is 500 or one million, what is important is that we were able to fill Roxas Boulevard and Luneta. This is the biggest march ever,” King said.

People marched from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, made a stop at the Rajah Sulayman Park where they swiped their cards with barcodes so they would be counted, and then continued their trek toward the Quirino Grandstand to complete the 2.5-kilometer walk.

In the evening, they enjoyed entertainment provided by GMA-7 artists. The event was also awarded with a Pinoy record.

Technical, security problems

The event, however, was marred by some technical and security problems. 

Omni Prime Marketing project manager Joel Pamplona, whose company provided the scanning machines, said six of the 100 scanning machines malfunctioned and people had to stand in long queues under the hot midday sun, waiting for their turn to swipe their cards.

Volunteers in first aid stations situated in different areas said some people brought to their tents complained of dizziness and headaches.

At past 3 p.m. yesterday, 50 Pagcor security and personnel from the Manila Police District failed to stop the throng of children and their parents who rushed closer to the stage, disregarding orders from the authorities.

Pagcor Pavilion treasury head James Kitane, one of those in charge of security, said the children were eager to see their favorite GMA-7 artists up close so they ran forward, pushed, climbed and jumped over the railings to get a seat at the Grandstand.

Because of the commotion, some children were pinned or stepped on during the mad scramble to the Grandstand. Policemen and Pagcor security could not stop them and ended up helping them over the railings.

Gov’t agencies, NGOs join march

Government agencies, local government units and non-government organizations sent their representatives to the march.

The Department of Transportation and Communications provided free MRT/LRT rides for participants of the BIDA March, while the Department of Public Works and Highways provided railings and 1,800 volunteers to secure the marchers.

Maynilad set up free water stations along the march route, while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office provided medical volunteers to render first-aid services.

The Manila Police District deployed some 400 policemen, including undercover cops, to man the stretch of Roxas Boulevard.

Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales put up closed-circuit television cameras in Rizal Park to monitor the activities. – With Nestor Etolle