9:48 PM
007
Mayor Peter B. Miguel officially declared the whole City Hall of Koronadal as a Smoke-Free Facility during the ceremonial launch of Anti-smoking Campaign conducted on January 24, 2012 at the City Hall Lobby attended by all employees of the City Government.Resource Speaker Dr. Virginia Sulit, MD, a pulmonologist, gave insights on the ill effects of smoking to human health emphasizing on second hand smoking as more dangerous than smoking itself since they are more exposed compare to user.
Mayor Arnold Garingo of the Municipality of Tantangan shared his own experience on smoking and how he successfully quit the same after 20 years of being hooked to it with determination being the key. He also gave tips on how he implemented anti-smoking campaign in the Municipality of Tantangan that earned them nomination twice. First, they received Red Orchid Award in 2011 and just recently nominated again to the Orchid Award for the successful implementation of Anti- smoking efforts.
Mr. Reynaldo Lamorena, head of the City Civil Security Unit (CSU), also gave his own testimony on his efforts to quit smoking and had sustained the same for five years now. He said further that he hung on to prayer and persistence as his formula for successful quitting and that if he was able to do it, others could do the same.
Earlier, pursuant to RA 9211 which prohibits smoking in public places, public utility vehicles and all government offices, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) had been scouring the whole city especially the public market for the implementation of the same and had penalized more than 40 smokers caught in the premises.During the said launch, City Councilor Mark Lapidez, Chairman- Committee on Health and Sanitation, also gave information on the ordinance that the Committee is trying pass in support of the above-said law, specifically regulating smoking in the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Koronadal. He further said that a series of public hearing would be conducted for the purpose.
