BACOLOD CITY — A total of 465 persons and 81 business establishments were fined by the Bacolod City Anti-Smoking Task Force (BASTF)-Action Team for violating the anti-smoking ordinance from September 4 to October 31.
This was announced on Monday by Councilor Caesar Distrito, task force co-chairman, who said that he will coordinate with the City Treasurer’s Office regarding the payment of the violators.
He said individual violators were mostly caught smoking in public places while the establishments were penalized for allowing their patrons to smoke for lack of designated smoking areas (DSAs).
During the MassKara Festival last month, 188 persons and 26 business establishments were penalized.
Distrito said they have issued demand letters to violators who failed to pay the penalties.
Business establishments should settle their penalties before they can renew their business permits, he added.
Violators are fined PHP500 for first offense; PHP1,000 for second offense; and PHP2,500 or imprisonment for third offense.
Business establishment owners allowing their costumers to smoke in non-designated smoking area will be fined PHP3,000 for first offense; PHP4,000, for second offense; and PHP5,000 for third offense, or possible closure.
Distrito authored City Ordinance No. 641, Series of 2013 which regulates smoking in public places, including public conveyances, and advertisements, promotions and sponsorships of tobacco products.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 26, which took effect last July 22, provides for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed spaces. (PNA)
