WELLNESS WALK. A wellness walk marks the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week celebration in Antique on Friday (Nov. 14, 2025). The activity promoted a healthy lifestyle and raised public awareness on the importance of staying healthy by avoiding vices. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique provincial government, together with select national government agencies, marked Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week celebration with a wellness walk on Friday.
Irene Duldoco, Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Information Officer, said in an interview that they conducted the activity to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise public awareness on the importance of being healthy by avoiding vices.
“We are encouraging a positive lifestyle and active participation in the campaign against drug abuse,” she said.
The wellness walk started from Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park in front of the New Antique Capitol and ended at Robinsons Mall in San Jose de Buenavista.
The walk was participated in by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police and students.
PDEA Antique Intelligence Agent V Maria Melinda Panaguiton said the province has been drug-free since 2023, but there are still drug-related incidents.
“We are now in the process of reviewing the retention of the 590 barangays in the PDEA drug-free list,” she said.
She said that before the observance of All Saint’s Day on Nov. 1, they conducted a surprise random drug test among the 211 public utility vehicle drivers in San Jose de Buenavista. Four were found positive.
“We have already referred the four drivers to the IPHO for medical intervention,” she said. (PNA)
