DAVAO DEL NORTE, March 13 (PIA) --- The provincial government of Davao del Norte through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) is getting serious about prohibiting smoking within any government facility and vicinity.
Dr. Agapito Hornido, department head of PHO Davao del Norte last week oriented heads of provincial government offices and their representatives on Smoke-Free Environment policy based on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) guidelines.
In an interview, Dr. Hornido warned any government employee violating Executive No. 04, Series of 2013 issued by Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario in compliance with the CSC Memorandum Circular No. 17, series of 2009, “promoting 100 percent smoke-free environment in government and in public places.”
”It is high time for people to respect the policy,” he said while revealing the severest penalty of termination from service for third offense.
The first offense means warning with corresponding requirement to undergo an education session on the health hazards of smoking at the PHO clinic located within the Provincial Government Center in Mankilam, Tagum City. The second offense brings penalty suspension while the third offense would mean dismissal from service.
Dr. Hornido said the provincial Smoke-Free Environment Policy prohibits smoking within the Davao del Norte Tourism and Sports Complex, within the Provincial Government Center, in district hospitals and in any other facility, vicinity, building owned and run by the provincial government.
While a technical working group will soon be created to monitor the implementation of the anti-smoking policy and to keep an eye on those violating it, Dr. Hornido said anybody can report those found smoking within government facility and vicinity, “for recording.”
He also discourages discreet selling of cigarettes which is known in some government offices within the Provincial Government Centers where offices of some national government agencies are also located.
“Kanang warik-warik namaligya ug sigarilyo, walaon na (Illegally and discreet selling of cigarettes will be banned),” he said.
The provincial government has no designated “Smoking Area” but it is keeping a clinic at the PHO ready to serve those who would opt to quit smoking and to get referral to a pulmonologist for treatment of acute respiratory infection caused by smoking, Dr. Hornido said. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)
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