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Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Smoking ban nets 2 scoutmasters
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero
DAVAO CITY -- Despite constant reminders from City Administrator Wendel Avisado that the PTA grounds, where the BIMP-Eaga Urban Scout Jamboree is currently being held, is a non-smoking area, two scout masters of the jamboree and an employee of the City Engineer's Office (CEO) were caught smoking inside the camp.
The scoutmasters, identified as Wilfredo Ebdane Discaya, 56, and Rudy Sasis Lanosa, both from Sorsogon City, were endorsed to the city police after they were caught smoking in their tent in the PTA grounds on May 29.
They admitted they have heard of and were told about the city ordinance against smoking and that it is only allowed in designated areas.
But they didn't believe they will be arrested if they violate.
"We were drinking coffee and taking some snacks. I'm a smoker and I can't sip my coffee without my cigarette," Discaya said.
"We were surprised that we were apprehended. We are very sorry, we didn't mean to violate the ordinance," he added.
Rhett Bernales, 43, a contractual employee of the CEO who served as support staff in the Jamboree, was apprehended noon Tuesday. Bernales was reportedly smoking after he took his lunch at the camp.
Avisado, who is also the Jamboree camp chief, said they were not remiss in reminding the participants, more so the City Government employees.
"The rules inside the camp, including the no-smoking policy, is read every morning and at night before the participants sleep," Avisado said in an interview.
That the camp is a "no smoking area" is listed as number 1 in the camp rules and regulations.
Penalty for those who violate the ordinance involves a fine of not less than P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 and imprisonment for the third offense.
Avisado said he has also conducted an orientation among boy scouts officers, both local and international, that smoking is prohibited inside the camp.
According to Avisado, the two scoutmasters have violated the Boy Scout law, which is obedience.
"A boy scout is obedient. We were saddened by the apprehension of the two scoutmasters. But what's good is they came to their senses, they apologized because we really mean what we say," he said.
Whether charges will be filed against the offending scoutmasters and CEO worker, however, depends on the arresting officers.
"If the arresting officers return for the filing of charges then a case will be filed because we need their affidavits. The two will be sent notices in Sorsogon once the case is filed," SPO2 Tirasol of the San Pedor Police told Sun.Star.
Also among the rules implemented inside the camping grounds, Avisado said, is the segregation of garbage.
Avisado said unless garbage from the camp is segregated, it will not be collected by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(May 31, 2006 issue)
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