MANILA — Two women were apprehended and a store was recommended for demolition as part of the anti-smoking campaign of the Quezon City local government.
Last Monday, the Smoke-Free Task Force led by the Quezon City Health Department swooped down on a known smoker’s haven at the Quezon City Hall compound.
The two violators of city ordinance were handed out citation tickets.
The surprise inspection was conducted following a complaint from officials of Barangay Central and a nearby establishment about the rampant violation of the anti-smoking and anti-littering ordinances.
The two female smokers were caught and were given a warning for violating Executive Order 26, while a nearby makeshift store – which sells cigarettes and food stuff – was recommended by the Health Department and Department of Public Order and Safety for closure and demolition.
The store owner was cited for violation of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Resolution No. 02-28 Series of 2002, “authorizing the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Local Government Units to clear the sidewalks, streets, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks and other public places in Metro Manila of all illegal structures and obstructions.”
The store also failed to present a sanitary permit.
This prompted the Department of Public Order and Safety and Market Development Administration Department to confiscate the vendor’s merchandise.
Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Lourdes Eleria, head of the Sanitation Division of Quezon City Health Department, asked for the cooperation of Quezon City Hall employees and asked them to obey the laws and ordinance in the city.
“Sumunod po tayo sa batas. Okay lang naman maghanapbuhay pero siguraduhing hindi tayo nakakagambala at hindi tayo nakakaperwisyo sa iba (Let’s obey the law. It’s just okay to make a living but make sure that we won’t disturb or cause harm to others ,” Eleria said in an ambush interview.
“Alam na po natin na mayroon na tayong batas tungkol sa smoking at gusto po namin ng Smoke-Free Task Force na i-implement ito (We already knew that we have laws on smoking and we want to implement it). Dadating in due time gusto namin na mapalawig ito (In due time we would like to widen its coverage),” she added. (Perfecto Raymundo, Jr./PNA)
