LEGAZPI CITY – The City Health Office here awarded more than 40 establishments with a certificate of appreciation and trophy for winning the search for the 75 percent to 100 percent smoke-free establishments, in a ceremony held at Kanzo Restaurant Friday.
City health officer, Dr. Fulbert Alec Gillego, said in an interview that Legazpi City’s smoke-free program began with the implementation of Ordinance 0007-2009 or the revised smoke-free law authored by former councilor, now Board Member Rolly Rosal.
The ordinance was enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and approved by former mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal in 2009.
Gillego said the implementation of the ordinance is a shared responsibility of the Legazpi City Health Office (CHO) as the leading implementing office, together with non-governmental organizations, religious groups, schools, business establishments, the academe, and law enforcers.
For three consecutive years from 2010 until 2013, the Department of Health (DOH) recognized the city government of Legazpi as a model LGU in the country for its effective anti-cigarette smoking campaign.
The city was named as DOH Hall of Famer in the prestigious Smoke-Free Red Orchid Award during the annual celebration of World No Tobacco Day on May 29, 2013 at the Philippine Trade and Training Center in Pasay City, Gillego said.
He said Legazpi has put up more big billboards and video screens at the airport, seaport, market, terminals and other public places and crowded areas of the city as part of the smoke-free campaign to constantly inform the public about the ill effects of smoking and penalties for smoking in undesignated areas.
This is also aimed at maintaining the image of Legazpi as one with a smoke-free environment.
Gillego commended all the owners of the establishments who received the awards and the members of the smoke-free enforcement team for their full support for the city’s program.
The 100-percent smoke-free establishment awardees were: Emerald Boutique Hotel; Vista Al Hotel; Legazpi Airport Buffet; Delica Japanese Restaurant; Chef Lee Restaurant; Palamigan; Four Seasons Restaurant; Kanzo Hall; Cosina de Marina; the Department of Public Works and Highways; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Environmental Management Bureau; DOH; Securities and Exchange Commission; Commission on Population; Social Security System; the Bicol University; University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi; Divine Word College; Computer Arts and Technological College; AMA College and Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation.
On the other hand, the awardees as 75 percent to 85 percent smoke-free establishments were the Lotus Blue Hotel; Casa de Piedra; the National Economic and Development Authority; Albay Doctors Hospital; Chicken Deli; Mini-Stop convenience store; the PAGASA National High School; Southern Luzon Technological College; the Innodata Content Online Services; and Sutherland Global Services.
The establishments that received the awards for being 86 percent to 99 percent smoke-free were the Pinaric Eco-Park; Riserr Residences; Bureau of Customs; Civil Service Commission; Tanchuling Hospital; Esteves Memorial Hospital; the Koron Restaurant, Alibar Food; RS Burger Express; and Ada’s Store. (PNA)
