NAVAL, Biliran- The new set of Naval municipal officials has implemented its anti-smoking ordinance to promote health and safety of its constituents.
Romel Salvatierra, communications officer and chief of Task Force Anti-Smoking of Naval, informed the public of the strict implementation of “no smoking in public places” within the municipality during his guesting at the PIA-Biliran’s Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan over Radyo Natin-Naval recently.
The local government unit of Naval has designated six smoking areas in town.
Salvatierra said the designated smoking areas are as follows: at the back of the Naval Municipal Legislative Building; at the last portion of the barbecue stalls along the boardwalk; at the back of the public CR at the town’s PUV terminal; at the back of the Naval gymnasium; and two separate smoking areas at the back of the public market, near the seawall.
All smoking areas are designed with anti-smoking campaign tarps showing the ill-effects of smoking.
Police officers and members of the task force are deployed to apprehend and issue citation tickets for violators.
Salvatierra advised smokers follow the ordinance, otherwise, a fine will be imposed in the amount of P500, P1,000, P1,500 for the first, second, and third offenses, respectively, or an equivalent community service.
The municipality of Naval was previously awarded 100 percent tobacco-free environment according to the Sangguniang Bayan Secretary, Marilou Lucente.
Naval also received the Red Orchid Awards in 2011 and 2012, and the Red Orchid Hall of Fame Award in 2013, all at national level, Lucente said.
(LDL/MLT/PIA-8, Biliran)
