THE Bacolod City Anti-Smoking Task Force (BASTF)-Action Team apprehended 720 persons and 106 business establishments in various areas from September 4 to December 20.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, co-chairman of the task force, said Wednesday citation tickets were issued to the violators so they can pay the penalties.
Individual violators are fined P500 for first offense; P1,000 for second offense; and P2,500 for third offense.
Of 720 persons apprehended, only 35 paid their penalties with the total of P17,500 and 15 persons rendered a community service at the Bacolod City Police Office compound.
Of the 106 business establishment-violators, only 20 have paid their penalties.
“Less than 10 percent complied to settle their penalties and we are hopeful that by next year those who fail to pay or render community service should pay their penalties or else charges will be filed against them,” Distrito said.
He said most individual violators were caught smoking in public places like the plaza and downtown areas while establishment owners are fined for allowing their customers to smoke in non-designated smoking areas.
Distrito added that this holiday season, the task force decided to strictly enforce the anti-smoking ordinance and the Tobacco Control Act, and Executive Order 26.
The task force also submitted the names of the individual violators, who fail to pay, to the Bacolod City Police Office and the National Bureau of Investigation so that when they secure a clearance, their violations will appear and they will be required to pay the fine before they can obtain a clearance.
Distrito said the business establishment owners who fail to pay should also settle their penalties before they can renew their business permits.
“We are serious in implementing the law so everybody should follow it,” he said.