THE Bacolod City Anti-Smoking Task Force (BASTF)–Action Team apprehended 250 persons and 40 establishments since they started their operation on September 1.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, author of the ordinance, reported that
most violators were caught smoking in public places like the plaza and the downtown area.
Establishments were apprehended for not complying with the required designated smoking area and warning signs and for tolerating smoking in their area.
“Individual violators and establishments were issued citation tickets which indicated the specific violation and the corresponding penalty to be paid by the violator.
They were given five days to settle the fine by paying at the authorized collecting outlets of the City Treasurers Office,” Distrito added.
The number of apprehended individuals and establishments is a manifestation that the city through the Anti-Smoking Task Force and the Action Team is very serious in enforcing the anti-smoking laws and to make Bacolod a smoke-free city.
Distrito said the four teams headed by action officer Ben Solilapsi will continuously conduct operations in various areas as a means of strictly enforcing the anti-smoking ordinance of the city and the executive order of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Bacolod City Police Office also eight policemen led by Senior Police Officer 3 Alex Mendoza to help the BASTF-Action Team in their operations. (CNC)