Some city government employees will be deputized to intensify the enforcement of the City Ordinance 278 also known as the Clean Air Ordinance and other laws and ordinances that prohibit smoking in government offices and public places, in a bid to reduce air pollutants in Puerto Princesa.
This was learned during the meeting of the city’s Clean Air Management Board (CAMB) presided by Vice Mayor Nancy Socrates held on Friday afternoon at the City ENRO conference room.
The city government has announced recently that it will strictly enforce anti-smoking laws and ordinances, since it has been observed that these are grossly violated by some unscrupulous individuals, who openly smoke in transport terminal, public market and in public places.
Senior Environmental Management Specialist (SEMS) Mary Ann Joylle Madriñan of the city government said that the staff assigned at the Clean Air Program monitored the compliance of the amti-smoking ordinances and several individuals has been issued with violation ticket for smoking in public places. Others who are first time offenders, were given warning and made to sign the form, as a proof that he or she has been informed about the ordinance.
She explained that the staff of the Clean Air Program inspected business establishments in the city, to check if they have designated smoking areas. Based on existing laws and ordinances, offices, institutions and business establishments should establish a designated smoking area to avoid smoking in public places.
But some sources said, especially the enforcers themselves said that even government agencies has no designated areas. The source said that due to the absence of designated smoking area, a lawyer employee of that agency smoke in public. When reprimanded, said lawyer, even challenged the law enforcers.
Atty. Grezilda Gerthie Mayo-Anda, executive director of an environmental NGO and one of the CAMB members said that Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron will deputize some city personnel based on the recommendations of the board.
“CAMB can recommend for deputization. We need to see the data of these people. Dapat makilala natin. Kaya e-submit nila dito ang kanilang profile,” she said.
She further said that a city employee who wanted to apply for deputization should have no pending case, a person with good moral character and a good standing in the society.
The city has existing City Ordinance No. 57-93 or Anti- Smoking Ordinance of 1993 that prohibits cigarette smoking in public. In 2005, this was supplemented by the City Ordinance No. 278 also known as the Clean Air Ordinance that supports the Republic Act 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act.
In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte issued the Executive Order No. 26 providing for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places. This EO was enforced nationwide.
The City Anti Crime Task Force led by City Information Officer Richard Ligad has announced that they will start the enforcement to strictly enforce anti-smoking laws and ordinances.
Madriñan said that they scheduled the deputization training this November 2019, where some selected city government employees will undergo training and capability enhancement.