QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has reconstituted the city’s Smoke-Free Task Force to ensure the proper implementation of all relevant national laws and policies, presidential executive orders, and city ordinances pertaining to the total ban on smoking in public places.
He tasked city health officer Verdades Linga to head the task force, with Frederika Rentoy, head of the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, as vice chairperson.
Also named to the task force were Isagani Versoza Jr. of the City Building Official, Garry Domingo of the Business Permits and Licensing Office, Noel Soliven of the Barangay Operations Center Ares Gutierrez of the Public Affairs and Information Services Office, Marilou Arrieta of the Market Development and Administration Department and Elmo San Diego of the Department of Public Order and Safety. Rio N. Araja
Under Executive Order 28A-2017, Bautista ordered the inspection of all business establishments, schools, buildings, government offices, hospitals, medical or health centers,transportation conveyances and terminals, markets and other public and enclosed places in Quezon City.
The task force is given until the first week of January to develop a smoking cessation program, while a separate smoking cessation program will also be crafted for city government employees.
“The QC SFTF [is directed] to enforce and ensure compliance with the requirements and standards of [anti-smoking] laws, presidential executive orders and city ordinances … and shall conduct visitations and monitor covered areas, structures, and locations, and apprehend violators and cause the filing of appropriate legal actions and proceedings against them with due regard to the requirements of due process of law,” Section 2 of the executive order read.
