MMDA: Smokers in public places to start receiving 'warnings'

People caught smoking in public places in Metro Manila will start receiving warnings as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) began its anti-smoking campaign on Monday. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said in an interview over dzRH radio, "Ang paglulunsad, information campaign ito na one month. After one month ang tunay na implementation. Warning pa lang ngayon." As of now, 16 of the 17 local governments in Metro Manila have their respective ordinances penalizing smoking in public places, he said. Valenzuela City is the only local government without an ordinance penalizing smoking in public places but it is expected to pass an ordinance this week, Tolentino said.

Information drive Tolentino said the MMDA will conduct an information drive to help the public aware of the areas covered by their anti-smoking campaign. He said the public places where smoking is banned include public utility vehicles, terminals, jeeps, tricycles, schools, hospitals, bars and restaurants. "Ang hospital at bars and restaurants mag-designate ng smoking areas," he said. He also stressed that smoking will not be tolerated in the streets and in areas where food is being prepared. Going after violators On Friday last week, the MMDA issued a news release announcing that the MMDA "will start apprehending smokers who will be caught puffing away in public places in all major and secondary roads of the metropolis." The release quoted Tolentino as saying MMDA and LGU health and environmental sanitation officers "will round up smokers caught violating the provisions of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, and the smoking prohibitions of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and all local ordinances and issuances." Violators will be fined P500 on first offense while those who cannot afford to pay the fine are obliged to render an eight-hour community service, the MMDA said. LGU support MMDA spokesperson Tina Velasco said they will need help of the local government units in explaining and enforcing the ban on smoking in public places. "Ang environmental enforcers natin ay 64, so hindi natin magagawang mag-isa ito ... That's where our LGUs will come, magpapakita ng suporta," she said in an interview on dzXL radio. She said the MMDA will also make the rounds of perceived hotspots and national roads to explain the mechanics of the drive. Velasco added the information drive on the ban on smoking in public places will coincide with the MMDA's campaign against littering. "Kasama ng anti-littering ng MMDA, nadagdagan ng bagong environmental apprehension," she said. - VVP, GMA News