In the government’s quest for positive behavior change to drastically reduce cases and prevent further transmission of COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today formally inked their partnership with the private sector and local celebrities in the BIDA ang May Disiplina: Solusyon sa COVID-19 national advocacy campaign.

According to Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año, the participation of the private sector and local celebrities in the campaign will significantly boost its cause and encourage more citizens to have individual self-discipline, especially now that there are reports of deliberate violation of health protocols set by the government and even flaunted on social media

“Public-private cooperation is indeed an ideal solution to our present situation to defeat COVID-19 as it augments both local and national government’s efforts and resources,” the Health Chief said. “Ang pagtutulungan sa panahon ng pandemya ang susi para mawaksan natin ito. Ang laban natin against COVID-19 ay hindi laban ng National o Local Government lamang. Bawat isa sa atin, kabilang ang private sector ay may malaking role na ginagampanan,” he added.

Año shared that the highlight of the event is the signing of Memorandum of Agreement dubbed as “BIDA ang May Disiplina: Harnessing Private Sector Support to Defeat COVID-19.”

Among the private sector entities lending their expertise and resources for the BIDA ang May Disiplina campaign are Ad Standards Council; Digital Out-of-Home, Inc. and Macgraphics Carranza International Corporation; and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas.

“Sobrang nakakataba ng puso na sa gitna ng mga batikos, sa kabila ng napakaraming ginawa ng pamahalaan laban sa COVID-19, mayroon tayong mga kaibigan mula sa pribadong sektor na nagpaabot ng kanilang tulong sa atin. They are doing this out of love for country and the willingness to pitch in their contribution amid the crisis,” Sec. Año said.

He said that even more laudable is that all the assistance extended by these companies in the said campaign are pro bono or for free. “Hindi po matatawaran ang tulong na kanilang ibinibigay sa atin kaya lubos po ang ating pasasalamat.” he added.

Sec. Duque also expressed his gratitude saying, “Lubos po tayong nagpapasalamat sa ating mga private sector and local celebrities partners for their support. Kayo po ang tunay na simbolo na we can all BIDA solusyon sa COVID-19!”

Local Actress Regine Tolentino will be officially launched as one of the new female Disiplina Muna (DM) Ambassadors. Other ambassadors such as Diether Ocampo, James Deakin, Jiggy Manicad, and Paolo Bediones also graced the occasion along with Alden Richards, DOH’s BIDA Solusyon Ambassador.

Last September 2, 2020, Local Chief Executive DM Ambassadors such as Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, Dipolog City Mayor Darel Dexter Uy, and Ormoc City Mayor Richard were launched on Kuwentuhang Lokal aired on DZMM Teleradyo.