City finally implements anti-smoking ordinance
The long stagnated anti-smoking ordinance of the Iloilo City council committee will soon be re-implemented here.
This was assured by city councilor Julienne Baronda after the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) will have to be approved by city mayor Jerry P. Treñas this week.
Baronda said the re-implementation of the provisions of the anti-smoking ordinance is slated starting Wednesday, November 22, 2006 after the ordinance was put on hold by Treñas.
Implementation of the anti-smoking ordinance was tried in the month of June this year but was abruptly stopped after city residents complained of the impractical provisions.
Baronda assured that her committee conducted a series of studies on the IRR provisions and come up with rules and regulations acceptable to members of the city council, the city government and the residents in general.
"We have learned from our lessons in the past and, hopefully, we are implementing a local law that is conducive to the growth of the city and beneficial to all its residents," Baronda said.
After the IRR should have been approved by the city mayor and the city council, the implementation would start immediately in public vehicles and public places. Shopping malls will have to allot a special area for smokers while government buildings are non-smoking areas.
(PNA)