Ilocos Sur solon disputes authority of DOH over tobacco control

(Updated 9:40 p.m.) Hailing from one of the nation's leading tobacco-producing provinces, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson Jr. has challenged the authority of the Department of Health (DOH) to enforce tobacco control measures required by an international treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In a letter to DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona dated May 2, Singson raised his concern over the communication sent by National Center for Health Promotion director Dr. Asuncion Anden. Singson's letter was obtained by GMA News Online. The congressman claimed Anden was “demanding that the Department of Agriculture submit itself to an evaluation on their capacity to regulate the tobacco industry." Singson argued that the FCTC “is not self-executory," and needs legislation to implement in the Philippines. However, the FCTC Alliance Philippines (FCAP) said the FCTC is an international treaty to which the country is a signatory. The Senate ratified it on June 5, 2005 and that action 'entered into force' on Sept. 4 that same year. The World Health Organization has said the convention is the response of the international community to the global tobacco epidemic. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death, according to the WHO, which said more than five million people will die of tobacco-related diseases this year while 600,000 more will die of exposure to second-hand smoke. Regulatory powers The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has a charter, Executive Order No. 245, which “gives the NTA general and specific regulatory powers over tobacco," Singson said in his letter to Ona. But the DOH implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on the Food and Drug Administration Act provides that, “Nothing in the FDA Act of 2009 shall be deemed to modify the jurisdiction of other specialized agencies and special laws only insofar as the acts covered by these specialized agencies and laws except the health aspects of such products." The IRR was issued on March 22, 2011. Singson claims the IRR “caused confusion" in the tobacco industry because it gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jurisdiction over tobacco. Article III, Section 2 of the IRR of RA 9711 states, “The DOH, tasked with protecting the public's health against the injurious effects arising from the use of tobacco and tobacco products, has the responsibility of regulating tobacco and tobacco products through the FDA." The Ilocos Sur congressman said he was informed by FDA Director Suzette Lazo that “the DOH will issue a clarificatory… on FDA’s coverage over tobacco." MMDA goes after smokers
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV In an interview with GMA News' Mark Zambrano on '24 Oras', the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified that public health reasons compel them to implement the 'no smoking policy'. Sixty environment protection officers will be deployed metro-wide to enforce RA 9211 while the MMDA traffic enforcement office and personnel of the Philippine National Police will undergo training on anti-smoking laws and regulations. "Sa atin naman pong mga naninigarilyo, hindi naman natin habol na kayo'y hulihin at pagbayarin. Ano po 'yan, secondary lang po 'yan. Ang gusto po natin, magandang kalusugan para sa lahat," said Dr. Loida Labao-Alzona, chief of the MMDA Public Safety, Environmental Protection Office. — With Earl Rosero/VS, GMA News