Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Exec wants City's anti-smoking law junked
By Jay Dooma Balnig
COUNCILOR Erwin “Tongtong” Plagata urged his fellow councilors to junk the City's Anti-Smoking Ordinance, the amendments of which, are about to be presented before the City Council.
In a telephone interview, Plagata said that after reading the national law on cigarette smoking, he believes that City's ordinance is duplication.
“There's no need to implement the regulation ordinance on smoking because there is already a national law to that effect. It is only a matter of implementation of the national law,” he said.
He suspects that those who are pushing for the City's anti-smoking ordinance have a hidden agenda.
"The national law on selling and smoking of cigarette is clear. It was completely defined and its implementation rules and guidelines are clearly stipulated." he added.
Plagata confirmed that copies of proposed amendments are now circulating the business community for their correction and comments.
The Iloilo Business Club and Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), protested Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the ordinance.
“But, the way I see it, based on the draft, Baronda is going to repeal the existing anti-smoking ordinance, not just the simple amendments," Plagata added.
He added, "Now, what will happen if the local ordinance will be found in conflict with the national law?"
Plagata is now moving for the strict implementation of the national anti-smoking law rather than the revision or amendments of the existing local anti-smoking ordinance.
(July 25, 2006 issue)
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