THOUSANDS MARCH VERSUS ILLEGAL DRUGS

MANILA, Philippines - It's official.

The Grand Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA) March yesterday is recorded in the
Guinness Book of World Records as the "Largest March Against Illegal Drugs."

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) spokesman Dodie King
yesterday announced that representatives from Guinness awarded the
certificate to Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino, who received it on
behalf of Pagcor and Grand BIDA.

"We are very excited about it (the recognition). It is a statement
that we Filipinos made it to (Guinness). This is a statement of the
Filipinos to the world that we are against illegal drugs," said King.

"But the exact number (of participants) will have to come later
because they still have to verify it," he said.

Police initially estimated the number of participants between 50,000
and 70,000, but others reported some 500,000 people.

Guinness adjudications executive Lucia Sinigagliesi said, "We have
been following the developments ever since. The march was for a good cause."

She clarified that the Philippines would not be breaking any record
since this is the first time that a country or an organization has
undertaken such a feat.

Organizers said children, with ages ranging from six to 12,
accompanied by their parents joined the march.

"Some participants were unable to make it because of the heavy
traffic. But whether the number is 500 or one million, what is
important is that we were able to fill Roxas Boulevard and Luneta.
This is the biggest march ever," King said.

People marched from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, made a
stop at the Rajah Sulayman Park where they swiped their cards with
barcodes so they would be counted, and then continued their trek
toward the Quirino Grandstand to complete the 2.5-kilometer walk.

In the evening, they enjoyed entertainment provided by GMA-7 artists.
The event was also awarded with a Pinoy record.

Technical, security problems

The event, however, was marred by some technical and security problems.

Omni Prime Marketing project manager Joel Pamplona, whose company
provided the scanning machines, said six of the 100 scanning machines
malfunctioned and people had to stand in long queues under the hot
midday sun, waiting for their turn to swipe their cards.

Volunteers in first aid stations situated in different areas said
some people brought to their tents complained of dizziness and headaches.

At past 3 p.m. yesterday, 50 Pagcor security and personnel from the
Manila Police District failed to stop the throng of children and
their parents who rushed closer to the stage, disregarding orders
from the authorities.

Pagcor Pavilion treasury head James Kitane, one of those in charge of
security, said the children were eager to see their favorite GMA-7
artists up close so they ran forward, pushed, climbed and jumped over
the railings to get a seat at the Grandstand.

Because of the commotion, some children were pinned or stepped on
during the mad scramble to the Grandstand. Policemen and Pagcor
security could not stop them and ended up helping them over the railings.

Gov't agencies, NGOs join march

Government agencies, local government units and non-government
organizations sent their representatives to the march.

The Department of Transportation and Communications provided free
MRT/LRT rides for participants of the BIDA March, while the
Department of Public Works and Highways provided railings and 1,800
volunteers to secure the marchers.

Maynilad set up free water stations along the march route, while the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office provided medical volunteers to
render first-aid services.

The Manila Police District deployed some 400 policemen, including
undercover cops, to man the stretch of Roxas Boulevard.

Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales
put up closed-circuit television cameras in Rizal Park to monitor the
activities.

- - With Nestor Etolle