PNP tapped to help in anti-smoking ban in Metro Manila

(Updated 2:44 p.m.) The government has enlisted the help of the Philippine National Police to further intensify its anti-smoking campaign in public places in Metro Manila. In a memorandum of agreement to be signed this week, the Department of Interior and Local Government is set to formalize it intention to assist the Metro Manila Development Authority in enforcing the anti-smoking campaign. The PNP is an attached agency of the DILG. The MOA will be signed in light of an earlier memorandum sent by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo instructing policemen to "assist and support the MMDA for the successful and sound implementation of the smoking ban in Metro Manila." Robredo likewise instructed the PNP to coordinate with Metro Manila mayors to ensure a "cohesive and organized" campaign. "In order to convince the Metro Manila populace to support the said campaign, the PNP is urged to lead by example by ensuring that its personnel, especially those in Metro Manila, are abiding by the smoking ban guidelines," Robredo said. In a separate memorandum circular, Metro Manila mayors, in turn, were encouraged to throw their full support to the MMDA initiative. "They are urged to update their anti-smoking ordinances or to issue such ordinance, if without any, to incorporate the guidelines and parameters set forth by the MMDA in the enforcement of the said smoking ban," Robredo said in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by GMA News Online. Meanwhile, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino was quoted ina a radio report as saying that under the MOA, the PNP would initially be deploying policemen dedicated to apprehending smokers in Marikina City, Maynila, Quezon City, Pasay City and Caloocan City. The MMDA initially announced the smoking ban in Metro Manila in late May, disseminated the information for over a month before implementing it last Friday. Latest data from the MMDA showed that a total of 983 violators from Navotas, Caloocan and Marikina have already been apprehended and fined since the ban took effect July 1. Tolentino said public places where smoking is banned include public utility vehicles, terminals, jeeps, tricycles, schools, hospitals, bars and restaurants. He also stressed that smoking will not be tolerated in the streets and in areas where food is being prepared. In its first few days of implementation, many of the smokers claimed they were not aware the MMDA was to start implementing an anti-smoking law, with violators facing a P500 fine or eight hours of community service on the first offense. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ/KBK, GMA News