Iloilo City steps up anti-smoking drive
Amendments will be made on the Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance 2006-150 to make it more comprehensive and active in its anti-smoking campaign.
Starting September 1, the campaign will be vigorous with deputized agents going around the city to issue citation tickets to violators, said Councilor Joshua Alim, chairman of the reactivated Anti-Smoking Task Force.
Alim said Executive Order 099-A recently issued by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog will resuscitate and strengthen the campaign on smoking as absolutely prohibited in schools, public buildings, public conveyances and government vehicles, fire hazard locations and within public and private hospitals, medical, dental and optical clinics.
He said that smoking maybe allowed in designated smoking areas but shall be prohibited in any enclosed public places such as accommodation and entertainment establishments.
In the case of hotels, lodges, inns and the like, the prohibition shall apply only to their respective common areas. Smoking is also prohibited in private workplace open to the general public.
On top of cash penalties against violators, Alim said the task force will strengthen its operation against violators and amendments to the existing ordinance will cover imprisonment or community work, announcement of their names in the media, police blotter report and or hauling them to court to prove their guilt.
The violators will also have a record at city hall that may deter them to get clearances for job opportunities, Alim said.
Individual violators will have to pay the fine at the city treasurer’s office cash amounting P500 for first offense, P1,000 for second offense and P5,000 for third offense and subsequent offenses.
Administrative penalties will also be imposed on business establishments at P500 for first offense, P1,000 and suspension of business permit and license to operate for one week for the second offense, and P5,000 cash penalty and cancellation and revocation of business permit and license on the third and subsequent offenses.*PNA
