by: Rodrigo S. Victoria
NAVAL, Biliran, – The municipality of Naval intensifies anew its no smoking campaign as early this year with the town’s anti-smoking task force taking the lead and making bold steps.
Dr. Fernando B. Montejo, Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Naval, Biliran and Chairman of the Municipal Anti-Smoking Task Force (MASTF) said in an interview that the task force he leads will make giant steps this year to show to the public that Naval town is serious in implementing the ordinance prohibiting smoking in public places of the municipality.
On January 11, four days after the MASTF meeting, its members, led by Dr. Montejo, made an ocular inspection to the different business establishments in poblacion Naval, posting anew no smoking posters in conspicuous area of the establishments to remind the public that smoking in public places is prohibited.
“This is one way of implementing effectively the no smoking ordinance” Montejo said adding that the task force will regularly check the compliance of business establishments in accordance with what is provided in the ordinance on no smoking policy of the town.
The MASTF chairman disclosed that the members of the task force will also implement this year, concrete steps geared towards raising the awareness level of the public and inculcating in the minds of the people that smoking is really prohibited in public places in the municipality of Naval.
He added that part of the steps to be undertaken by the task force this year is the reposting of tarpaulins bearing corresponding penalties to the violations based on the existing ordinance; regulating and prohibiting the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places of the municipality.
Radio plugs on no smoking will be aired regularly in the local radio station; showing of informative videos on the effects of smoking to one’s health in the local cable television stations and holding of fora in public places such as PUV terminal, public market and other places in town are to be undertaken by the task force this year, Montejo revealed.
The MASTF chair also appeals to the public to follow the provisions of the local law of the town on no smoking to avoid being penalized.
“We hope to achieve another good accomplishment this year with our intensive campaign against smoking” Montejo said referring to the feat of the town having been declared for two consecutive years by the Department of Health (DOH) as a Red Orchid awardee for the effective implementation of an ordinance against smoking. (PIA Biliran)