Friday, June 30, 2006
Anti-smoking law needs amendments
By Jay Dooma Balnig
ILOILO City Anti-Smoking Ordinance Task Force (Icast) chief, Art Peñaranda admitted that the present regulation ordinance on anti-smoking is broad, imperfect and needs amendments in due time.
Councilor Julienne Baronda appointed Peñaranda as the chief and supervisor of Icast operation.
Peñaranda admitted that the provisions in Ordinance 2002-225 as Amended by 2005-195 do not have a clear or specific definition of certain public places and enclosed public places.
But the task force has its own interpretation of terms and the members are following their own implementing rules and regulations aside from the provisions stated in the said anti-smoking ordinance.
"After two months, we will see. Baronda is now on the process of studying the entire outcome of the implementation," Peñaranda said.
"As of now, the technicalities of the manner of arrest will depend on the interpretation of the arresting officer," he added.
The broad provisions in the ordinance resulted to confusion during its first day of implementation last June 28.
The ordinance was originally sponsored by Councilors Cirilo Ganzon, Ramon Cua Locsin, Jerry Treñas, Guillermo De La Llana and Ma. Ann Rivera-Artieda in 1991 under Ordinance 84.
Councilors Julienne Baronda, Raul Gonzalez Jr., Rita Sarabia, Mandrie Malabor, Erlinda Liberiaga, Erwin Plagata and Antonio Pesina amended Regulation Ordinance 2002-225 last May 29, 2002.
A year after, on July 2, 2003, Councilor Joshua Alim and Eduardo Peñaredondo made amendments.
The latest amendments were made by Baronda under Ordinance No. 2005-195. The amendments were the addition of jeepney drivers, establishment owners and operator as among those who are liable for tolerating violators to smoke in non-smoking designated areas inside their jeepney or building.
First Day
During its first day of implementation, the Icast were able to apprehend four violators.
The force was spearheaded by Nedina Diamante, regional director of the Federation of Bantay Bayan Iloilo.
Part of their targets was the police officers who smoke while inside their stations.
No police personnel were caught.
Their second target was the City Hall in Plaza Libertad and the lobby of Grand Hotel in Iznart Street, City Proper. No one was arrested there.
However, during the course of their continued monitoring, they were able to catch some violators who smoked inside restaurants.
The four arrested were Robert Nanggan of Baluarte, Molo, Noe Margerejo of Kagamutan, Leganes, Nike Bijuan of Tabucan, Mandurriao and Vionel Florentino of Roxas St., San Miguel, Iloilo.
They were remitted to Police Precinct (PP1) but released after documentation.
(June 30, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
