City honors 17 best smoke-free ordinance enforcers

By:Alfredo L. Vargas Jr. LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 31 (PNA) -- The local government unit of Legazpi City, which trail-blazed the concept of a “Smoke-Free City” in the Philippines, has honored 17 best smoke-free enforcers with plaques of appreciation to recognize their selfless efforts to implement the city ordinance on anti-smoking. In 2012, the enforcers arrested 737 smoke-free violators and collected P38,100 in fines, while in 2011, they caught 650 violators with total fines of P21,076, Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal said here Thursday. As she commended them, Rosal said, she urged the honorees to be persistently vigilant and to protect the public from the deadly health consequences of second-hand smoke. She instructed them to arrest all violators of the smoke-free ordinance--especially those who smoke in public places, in public transport and conveyances, in schools and in other crowded areas of the city. The city is now cast as a role model in implementing smoke-free laws, for other cities and towns aspiring to have a smoke-free status. Legazpi City has the distinction of being the Best Smoke-Free City for the third successive year in 2012. It won the Red Orchid award in 2010, 2011 and last year (2012) the Hall of Fame. “The vital component of success is the city’s diverse group of committed smoke-free enforcers—composed of civil society groups, individual volunteers, advocacy groups, city police officers and army reservists. These enforcers, who offered their services for free, were selected by local government officials,” Rosal said. The lady chief executive described Legazpi City as “the Best Local Government Unit Implementer of Republic Act 9211,” also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. She praised the enforcers’ implementation of the city’s Comprehensive Smoke-free Ordinance. Rosal also encouraged the public to support Legazpi City’s smoke-free campaign to preserve its reputation as a healthy and orderly city and 100-percent smoke-free community. The 17 best enforcers are PO2 Joseph Aringo, PO2 Domingo Nuñez and PO2 Andro Taduran of the Philippine National Police; from Bicol Communicators and Environmental Rescue Group--Ferdinand Samar, Jonathan Basquirias and Dennis Alta; from Philippine Army Reserve Command--Cpl. Jose Lazado, Cpl. Jhoel Alienza, Sgt. Jorlan Almazar and Pfc. Ma. Nelly Bacudio; from the Public Safety Office-- Marvin Hernandez, Jonas S. Esplana and Domingo R. Nuñez 1V; from Smoke-Free Unit--Pastor Deodato Quintela, coordinator of Team Enforcement; and deputized civilian enforcers Jaime Olarte and Christopher Lozano. (PNA) FFC/FGS/ALV/MMG/EBP