No Smoking in Paranaque soon!

BEWARE Smokers!

 THE Parañaque City Government under the administration of Mayor Florencio Bernabe, Jr. will implement its anti-smoking campaign on February 06, 2012. For this initial implementation, coverage will be confined to Barangay San Antonio; Parañaque City Hall; and this LGU’s outside facilities, among them the F.V. Bernabe, Sr. Memorial Hospital, P’que Livelihood Resource Management Office Bldg., VCG <Blue> Bldg.

    The legal framework for said implementation are R.A. 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999; R.A. 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulations Act of 2003; Parañaque Ordinance No. 10-09, Series of 2008; and City Resolution No. 11-001, Series of 2010.

     An added basis for enforcing the smoking restrictions in government vehicles, facilities, and premises is Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 17. Meanwhile, the smoking ban on all land public utility vehicles and terminals is reiterated in LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2009-036.

     Classified “Absolute Smoke-Free Areas” are:

1)All government vehicles, structures and premises;

2)Elevators and stairwells;

3)Locations in which fire hazards are present, including gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosive or combustible materials;

4)All centers of youth activity such as play schools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities both public and private; youth hostels and recreational places for persons under eighteen (18) years old;

5)Within buildings and entire premises of public and private hospitals; medical, dental and optical clinics; health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries and laboratories;

6)Public utility vehicles, transportation terminals, offices and buildings, recreational places, shopping malls, movie houses, hotels and restaurants;

7)All places of worship;

8)Inside museums, libraries, auditoriums and coliseums both public and private;

9)Inside groceries, supermarkets and convenience stores;

10)Inside markets both public and private;

11)Inside public comfort rooms; and

12)Public outpost.

     “The Parañaque City Government is serious as it is determined with its anti-smoking campaign as it strives to have a healthy populace and a clean environment. We urge smokers to give-up this habit for their own sake and for the benefit of their family and the public.”, Mayor Jun Bernabe said.

     A taskforce composed of barangay and city government employees, deputized citizens and Parañaque PNP personnel has been formed to enforce the anti-smoking campaign.

     The fines and penalties for individual violators are as follows: Php500.00 for the first offense; Php1,000.00 for the second; and Php1,500.00 for the third. Violations by establishments will be meted as follows: Php2,000.00 for the first offense; Php3,000.00 for the second; and Php5,000.00 or a penalty of closure of the business establishment for the third violation.

     For government employees, added disciplinary action for failure to comply with said CSC circular are suspension of one month and one day to six months for the first offense and dismissal from the service, and forfeiture of benefits; disqualification to hold public office; cancellation of eligibilities; and being barred from taking the civil service examination for the next violation.

     Inquiries may be directed to the City Health Office at Tel. 826-8195.