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Philippines

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

By Editor Team / 23/12/2025

The National Youth Commission (NYC), in partnership with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and local partners, celebrated the success of the three-leg DrogAwareness Fun Run last November 15, 2025, in Manila. The fun run spanned across the country’s three major island groups, being held in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Manila. With over 7,251 runners in total, this nationwide initiative echoes the importance of health, wellness, and a drug-free lifestyle among the Filipino youth.

Zumba Session in Manila Leg
Zumba Session in Manila Leg

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.

 10K runners at the starting line with NYC ED and COO Leah T. Villalon and NYC Chairperson Usec. Joseph Francisco Ortega
10K runners at the starting line with NYC ED and COO Leah T. Villalon and NYC Chairperson Usec. Joseph Francisco Ortega
Manila Leg 10km Starting Line
Manila Leg 10km Starting Line

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.

3km Youth Finishers After Their Run
3km Youth Finishers After Their Run

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.

Photo of the NYC’s Executive Director and COO Leah Villalon and DDB’s Executive Director Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra, together with SK Federation President of Manila Hon. Juliana Rae Ibay, Manila Youth Welfare and Development Bureau’s Dir. John Daniel Layno, and Anti-Drug Advocate and Youth Ambassadors
Photo of the NYC’s Executive Director and COO Leah Villalon and DDB’s Executive Director Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra, together with SK Federation President of Manila Hon. Juliana Rae Ibay, Manila Youth Welfare and Development Bureau’s Dir. John Daniel Layno, and Anti-Drug Advocate and Youth Ambassadors

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.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

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