NO SMOKING. The Davao City Vices Regulation Unit collects PHP7.2 million worth of fines from violators as of July 2023. The anti-smoking violators have the highest paid penalty with PHP4.43 million, followed by liquor ban at PHP2.3 million. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
DAVAO CITY – The Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) of the City Mayor’s Office has collected PHP7.2 million worth of fines from violators as of July this year.
Data obtained from the VRU Thursday showed that the total collection from January to July came from fines and penalties from the anti-smoking ordinance at PHP4.4 million, liquor ban at PHP2.3 million, and insobriety at PHP468,000.
VRU chief Hernando Las said most of the cases were violations of the city’s anti-smoking and liquor ban wherein they partnered with the local police to catch violators, especially after the pandemic.
“After 1 a.m., if we see a beer on your table, whether it’s full or half-full, that is considered evidence that we will document before issuing a citation ticket. As long as it is after 1 a.m. until 8 in the morning,” Las said in an interview.
The buying and drinking of liquor in public places from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. violates the city’s liquor ban ordinance. Even the possession of alcoholic beverages within the specified period is counted as a violation of the measure.
Based on the VRU record, the number of apprehensions under the anti-smoking ordinance from January to July this year is 4,600, which is higher compared to the 3,551 apprehensions in the same period in 2022.
Of the total number, 4,355 have complied, while 245 cases are still in court.
Las reminded the public to refrain from smoking in public places and instead use designated smoking areas. City visitors are not exempted from the ordinance.
“We have designated smoking areas in malls and big establishments,” Las said.
Meanwhile, under liquor ban violations, Las said the number of apprehensions this year is higher by 199 cases for the past seven months at 1,121 compared to last year’s 922 in the same period.
Of these cases, 774 have complied while the remaining 347 are still in court. (PNA)
