The NYC Concludes Three-Leg DrogAwareness Fun Run in Manila, Marks National Students’ Day and DAPC Week Kickoff

Avid runners and anti-drug advocates joined 3km, 5km, and 10km race categories, supported by energetic Zumba warm-up sessions and voluntary counseling booths with partner organizations that offered drug-prevention education, mental health support, and HIV testing. Due to the recent Typhoons Tino and Uwan, the Iloilo and Manila legs expanded into a “Run for a Cause” initiative, which gave runners the opportunity to donate through the Philippine Red Cross to show solidarity with affected communities.

The Manila culmination also coincided with the celebration of National Students’ Day and the kickoff of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week, underscoring the role of young people in community leadership and substance-abuse prevention.

 To highlight youth empowerment and the importance of sustaining drug-free lifestyles, messages of support were delivered by the NYC Chairperson and CEO, Undersecretary Joseph Francisco “Jeff” R. Ortega; NYC Executive Director and COO, Leah T. Villalon; DDB Chairperson, Secretary Oscar F. Valenzuela; DDB Executive Director, Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra; and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Rolando C. Puno.

Across all three sites, runners enjoyed post-race cooldown Zumba sessions, free refreshments, access to wellness booths, and the awarding of the top finishers. 

The NYC’s DrogAwareness Fun Run showcased the powerful role and influence of the Filipino youth in transforming events into a unifying force toward a healthy and drug-free future.