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Friday, March 29, 2024

MMDA hails Marikina, Taguig anti-smoking drives

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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has cited the cities of Marikina and Tausig for enforcing stringent anti-smoking measures attuned to the national government’s similar campaign to protect the people from lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes said his agency recognized the relentless drive by Marikina and Tausig to protect the public from the continuing danger posed by smoking, include the use of vapes and e-cigarettes.

The two cities strictly implement ordinances banning smoking in public spaces, government buildings, schools, hospitals, and in public vehicles and transport terminals.

Some of the initiatives made by the local governments included posting of the copy of ordinance in barangay bulletin boards, public awareness campaign by utilization of public address system, development of barangay maps showing the points of reference like schools, playgrounds, among others.

Village officials and members of the Barangay Security Force were deputized to enforce their smoke free policy.

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The authorities warned that tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke were dangerous to human health.

Meanwhile, two separate deputation trainings were jointly conducted by the MMDA—Action on Smoking and Health Philippines and Health Justice Philippines in March and April.

The facilitators oriented the participants on the harmful effects of tobacco and vaping both to the user and those exposed to its emissions, enforcement mechanisms including proper use of citation tickets, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation, among others.

“The purpose of the training is to equip enforcers with knowledge and skills that will help them in the implementation of their local ordinances focusing on a smoke-free environment,” Artes said. Joel E. Zurbano

“We are very grateful for their active participation. Trained personnel for deputation will now be authorized to apprehend
anti-smoking violators,” he added.

Dr. Loida Alzona, director of MMDA Health and Environmental Protection Office, stressed that each local government unit in the National Capital Region shall fully implement a 100 percent smoking-or-vape free policy as mandated by President Duterte’s Executive Order No.
26/106 as a measure to safeguard public health.

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