BAGUIO CITY — “Government workers who will be found violating the city’s anti-smoking ordinance will not only be meted the proper penalties but may also be charged administratively.”
Councilor Joel Alangsab gave this warning in a press conference during the launching Monday of the Revolution Smoke-Free campaign at the Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ) in Loakan by the Department of Health and Philippine Economic Zone Authority-BCEZ, in partnership with the World Health Organization and city government.
As the principal author of the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance (Ord. 34, series of 2017), Alangsab said that as public servants, those in government should lead by example in following the city’s rules and regulations.
“City Hall officials and employees who insist on smoking should go home instead and do so inside their private property,” he stressed. Alangsab added that requests for a designating smoking area (DSA) at City Hall is expressly prohibited by the ordinance since the former is a public building and near a school.
“City Hall is a smoke-free zone as far as the ordinance is concerned,” he stressed.
Alangsab is echoing Mayor Mauricio Domogan’s earlier pleas for public servants to quit smoking and lead by example. Those who are having a difficult time quitting are encouraged to join the free smoke-cessation programs at the Health Services Office under Dr. Rowena Galpo.
“Smokers don’t have the right to smoke but everybody has the right to breathe clean and tobacco-free air,” the alderman said.
The ordinance prohibits the use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products (including vape/e-cigarettes) in certain places and imposing penalties thereof.
In a related development, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to the Philippines Dr. Gundo Weiler praised the city government headed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan on the passage of its Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance (Ord. 34, series of 2017) showing the city’s commitment in eradicating a deadly vice that kills millions of people worldwide annually.
He said that tobacco smoking does not only adversely affect the health of smokers themselves but even innocent bystanders like their family, workmates and friends due to second hand smoke. The cost of smoking to the economy is also considerable in terms of workers’ productivity, Weiler said.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza also lauded local officials for the city’s comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance and is hoping that this will be replicated by other local government units.
“As part of its best practices, PEZA will require all other economic zones nationwide to follow the example, as this is a living testimony to how we can show concern for the health and welfare of our employees, their families, and the entire nation,” she added.
They were the guests of honor during the Smoke Free Revolution campaign Monday at Loakan spearheaded by the WHO and Department of Health in partnership with the PEZA-Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ) and city government. Also giving messages were DOH regional director Amelita Pangilinan, city councilor Joel Alangsab, principal author of the Smoke Free Baguio ordinance and PEZA-BCEZ administrator Rene Joey Mipa.
The campaign urges the private sector to commit to smoke-free workplaces and encourage their employees to quit smoking. Prior to its launch in Baguio, the campaign has been rolled out in various cities across Asia.
“Revolution Smoke Free envisions a future where all types of workplaces from different industries are free from tobacco smoke. Business leaders are at the forefront of progress and innovation. As drivers of change in their industries, they have the power to spur a movement towards a future with healthier and safer working environments.” Weiler explained.
The Summer Capital was chosen as venue for the launching because of the alignment of the campaign’s objective to the city’s commitment to prioritize public health thru a comprehensive anti-smoking measure.
Earlier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said that government and other concerned sectors must act with urgency “to denormalize the culture of smoking and tobacco consumption not only in our economic zone but across the city so we can save the lives of our people.
By: Gaby Keith
