No Smoking Ordinance Earns San Rem 1st Red Orchid Award
John (not his real name) had the shock of his life, as he was approached by the an environment officer, while waiting for the boat at Hagnaya Port in San Remigio.
A traveler from United Kingdom, he was already imagining things in store across the island, at the white sugary beaches of Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, puffing a cigarette.
“Sir, may we ask you to put off your cigarette, smoking in public is illegal in San Remigio,” were the words of Matodello dela Peña, an environment enforcer.
John put off the cigarette and disposed it at a nearby trashcan.
He was brought to the Port Office, where he was briefed that Municipal Ordinance 2016-08 otherwise known as the No Smoking in Public Places in the entire town of San Remigio fines a violator for P1,000.
John nodded and without hesitation paid the P1,000 and sped off to board the boat.
John was among the almost 80 individuals who were caught smoking in public or throwing cigarette butts anywhere since the Ordinance was enforced in 2017.
The Ordinance took effect after majority of the town’s people agreed on its terms and conditions.
San Remigio’s Mayor Mariano Martinez had the Ordinance relayed from the Municipal Public Information Office (MPIO) down to the Barangay Information Networks.
Most of the violators were not from the town but were travelers like John who were on their way to Bantayan Island.
Other than in Hagnaya Port, Public Information Officer Niño Wilo Ybañez said some of the violators were also visitors and beachgoers of the town’s white beach, “Lapyahan.”
Ybañez said, there were some residents who expressed some hesitation at first but they were made to understand on the possible outcome of the Ordinance.
In fact, because of the Ordinance, the Municipality is set to receive an award from the Department of Health (DOH), and as the first Local Government Unit in Cebu Province, the Red Orchid Award.
This is an award given to national government agencies and local government units who are strict implementers of the campaign for a Tobacco Free Philippines.
The team from the national and regional DOH went to San Remigio last month and made an inspection in all government offices as well as public places.
May last year, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Executive Order Number 26 aiming to establish smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places in the Philippines.
Smoking is no longer allowed except in designated smoking areas that follow guidelines set by law.
However, smoking areas are banned in certain public places such as schools, elevators and stairwells, fire hazard locations, medical facilities, and food preparation areas.
At the same time, the Order also reinforces the Republic Act (RA) No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which “prohibits the purchase and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to and by minors and in certain places frequented by minors.”
All cities and municipalities nationwide are also “enjoined to form a local Smoke-Free Task Force,” which will help impose the provisions of EO No. 26.
“This is really a milestone for the town, as the first ever LGU in Cebu province to be given such recognition. We are taking care of the environment and as well as the health of our constituents,“ Mayor Martinez said.
Other recipients of the Red Orchid Award in Cebu include Talisay District Hospital (TDH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
San Remigio is the gateway to Bantayan Island, a popular beach getaway in the Province.
The town itself is also a summer destination with its longest white shoreline.
San Remigio is reachable by bus from the North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City or by vehicle for hire. (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
