Rama wants City Hall free from smoking

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered the strict implementation of the amended ordinance increasing the penalty for those who will be caught smoking in public buildings and other public places in the city.

The City Council on Wednesday passed in its final deliberation, the proposed amended ordinance increasing the maximum fines from P4,000 to P5,000 and one year imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment which would be implemented at the discretion of the court.

With the newly-passed ordinance which might be applicable starting next month, Rama wants strict implementation in City Hall offices and even at the Plaza Sugbo and other public plazas because it is a place where the public gather.

The old ordinance that bans smoking in public places in Cebu City was enacted in 1978 during the stint of then mayor Ronald Duterte that only carries a fine of P30.

But even if the first anti-smoking ordinance in public places has been enacted 33 years ago, there is no record of any apprehension of violators, aside from those few persons who have been apprehended for smoking inside public utility vehicles.

Fuente Osmeña police Assistant Chief Isagani Pugoy has assured that they will intensify the campaign against smoking in public places. He is hopeful that they can arrest violators this time, including the drivers of passenger jeepneys.

 “Ato na silang dakpon kay mangreklamo nang ilang mga pasahero nga ang aso mahanggap nila. Hasta sab ang mga pasahero or other civilian nga manigarilyo in public places dakpon,” he said.

SPO4 Mario Revilla said “Ang among focus ang kanang mga manigarilyo in public places. Pwede mi mag-conduct og operation against those manigarilyo in public.”

The city will formally launch tomorrow afternoon the Anti-Smoking campaign where Rama is scheduled to deliver a speech during the event that will be held at Plaza Sugbo.

Dr. Lucelle Mercado, the mayor’s representative to the Task Force Cancer of the City of Cebu, said they will apprehend violators of the ordinance throughout the city.

Councilor Ritchie Osmeña, the proponent of the ordinance, wants first time violators to be fined P3,000 then P4,000 for the next violation and P5,000 for the third violation or one year imprisonment or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

According to Osmeña, the protection of non-smokers from the pernicious effects of smoking, is always the concern of the city officials but such policy can be obtained only if the present amount of penalties as well as the compromise penalties are increased to the maximum limits provided by the law. (FREEMAN)