BAGUIO CITY– The city government in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) country office will conduct a training-workshop in line with the approved Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance on August 15 and 16 at El Cielito Hotel, here.
Participants to the two-day activity include councilor and ABC president Michael Lawana, city administrator Carlos Canilao, city health officer Rowena Galpo, city building and architects office head Nazita Banez, city legal officer Melchor Rabanes, city treasurer Alex Cabarrubias, and city human resource management officer Augustin Laban III;
Also joining are city environment parks and management office head Cordelia Lacsamana, city social welfare and development officer Betty Fangasan, city police director Ramil Sacalles, city schools superintendent Federico Martin, and representatives from other concerned offices and agencies.
They will compose the Smoke-Free Baguio task force chaired by Mayor Mauricio Domogan charged with the proper implementation of Executive Order 26, series of 2017, and City Ordinance No. 34, series of 2017, or the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance.
The ordinance prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places, imposing penalties for violations thereof and providing funds therefor, and for other purposes.
The measure’s purpose is to safeguard public health and ensure the wellbeing of all its constituents by protecting them from the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco consumption.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or allow smoking in public utility vehicles, government-owned vehicles or any other means of public transport for passengers, accommodation and entertainment establishments, public building, public place, enclosed public place, or any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence or private place of work, except in duly designated smoking areas,” the ordinance states.
The measure shall apply to all persons, whether natural or juridical, whether resident or not, and in all places, found within the territorial jurisdiction of the city government of Baguio.
It also lists the prohibited acts, penalties to be imposed on violators, where the funds will go and creates a smoke free task force chaired by the Mayor whose members include various heads of government offices and other concerned agencies.**gaby keith
