Bangad, Tinglayan mounts information campaign on road safety and against illegal drugs; over 200 young people participated

Tinglayan, Kalinga – The three barangays in Bangad, Tinglayan mounted various information campaigns on road safety and the hazards of illegal drugs on August 15, 2025, in their fight to secure the future of their young people.

“Ado ti challenges ti panangisuro kadagiti ubbing, but here in Bangad National High School, we impose discipline and conduct symposiums where we invite speakers, professionals, ken dagiti nag-succeed iti field da to help inspire the young people at the same time give them knowledge to fight illegal drug use and other problems common to the youth,” said one Teacher in an interview.

Police officers from the Tinglayan Municipal Police Station, the RHU Tinglayan, the HPG Tabuk City, and personnel of Guru Press Cordillera delivered talks and lectures.

Through the 'Road Safety Awareness cum Drug Symposium and Tree Planting', the young ones from Lower, Upper, and Centro Bangad gathered at Bangad National High School and learned more about the nature and dangers of illegal drugs and smoking.

They also received information on road safety and heard stories that inspired them to study hard and fulfill their dreams through having good values and character, leadership, and discipline.

The event was attended by the high school students of the BNHS and their teachers, barangay officials, and Vice Mayor Alexander Malasi.

The program culminated with a tree planting activity within the vicinity of Bangad National High School as part of the three Bangad barangays’ advocacy for nature preservation.

On the road safety

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Centro Bangad Punong Barangay Marvin Balagso said that the rise in student motorcycle use prompted them to take action on road safety, bringing in the HPG, media, and concerned stakeholders to help promote the advocacy across the three barangays.

“Dagitoy dadduma nga iskwela ditoy, addaan da ti motor ket kayat mi nga ma-avoid-aran mi ti aksidente ken maadalan da ti traffic management—surwen da ti agannad ta ag-motor da met aminen. Isu nga inimbataran mi ti HPG, ti media ken amin nga concerned ta kastoy ti kayat mi nga tallo nga barangays, nga ipadanun ken ibaga,” he shared.

The barangay captain said that a number of students ride motorcycles without licenses or helmets, and many are seen overloading with up to three individuals on said vehicle.

“Ti maibaga mi ti estudyante tayo, patien da diyay ibagan ti HPG— nu mabalin ket haan nga tallo kuma ti aglugan ti maysa motor ken limitaan da ti kinapaspas da nga agpataray. Ket kayat mi nga nga adalen da dagiti traffic rules. Karkaru ta dagitoy piman ket awan met lisensya da ket ti avoid-aran mi, nu ngay adda ti maaksidente, alangan nga santu kami lang ag-react. Isu nga ipauna min nga ipaka-ammo kanyada thru daytoy program tayo,” Balagso relayed.

Due to the lack of public transportation in the area, Balagso said that the students are forced to ride motorcycles, particularly because the school is located a distance away.

On drug awareness

While there have been no reported cases of drug use among the students, the barangay leaders included the segment to educate the students on drug awareness, helping them identify substances and understand the consequences of using them.

“Daytoy met about ti drugs, awan met ketdi pay ti record mi ken dagitoy estudyante iti drug use. Ngem isu nga inaramid tayo daytoy nga programa tapnu maadalan da about ti drugs, ket maamwan da ken makita da nga kastoy ti style ti drugs ken kastoy ti epekto na,” Upper Bangad Punong Barangay Leo Dangi mentioned.

Lower Bangad Punong Barangay Rodante Bao-ag, meantime, informed the lecturers that some students consume alcohol during social events, urging them to advise students to avoid alcohol as well, especially when they ride motorcycles.

“…pangaasi tayo ta haan tayo kuma nga maawis. Kitan mi met, awan ketdi ti estudiyante mi nga ag-drugs. Diyay inom lang ti napadasan da. Isu nga isu metlang ti maysa nga ibagbaga mi nga iwasan da metlang ti aginom. Medyo dayta 13-14 ket aginom dan, although haan met piman nga kanayon, nu lang siguro adda occasion da wennu agkakadwaan da,” he said.

The barangay officials are currently working close with Vice Mayor Malasi and concerned stakeholders to further improve the welfare of the youth in the said three barangays of Bangad.