Thursday, May 22, 2014

Smoking policy still violated, PHO chief says

DAVAO DEL NORTE, May  22 (PIA)--- Employees of some national government  agencies and provincial  offices located within the Provincial Government Center are still violating the anti-smoking policy, Provincial Health Officer Agapito Hornido said.

In an interview, Dr. Hornido  said he will soon  brought  this violation to the attention of Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario.

He revealed having found out the violation through discreet monitoring that his office conducted.

“We  captured videos of the violators,” he said but he refused to name names and even requested PIA not to of divulge yet the government agencies found with employees smoking inside Provincial Government Center premises.

He called on government agency heads to intensify the implementation of anti-smoking policy within government office and its premises in compliance with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) directives.

He also asked them to monitor their employees and their areas as he revealed that thrown cigarette butts were found within the premises in some national government agencies (NGAs) located inside the Provincial Government Center.

The Provincial Government of Davao del Norte has intensified its implementation of Smoke-Free Environment policy through 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.”

The PHO has mounted announcement on anti-smoking prohibition in wide tarpaulin  with corresponding information on the ill-effects of smoking. Billboards on such information are  placed in conspicuous places and outside all provincial  government offices.

Even walls in hallways and those leading to comfort rooms bear announcement of such prohibition and information on the ill-effects to health of smoking.

Dr. Hornido said that the intensive campaign against smoking is not really intended to grab the “Red Orchid Award” of the World Health Organization (WHO) which  grants such to LGUs  highly observing the No Smoking Policy.

“This is for everyone’s health,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte bids for the Red Orchid Award and that evaluators from the Department of Health and from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) are conducting this morning an on-site validation within the Provincial Government Center.

Dr. Hornido said the municipal governments of Carmen,  New Corella  and B.E. Dujali are also vying for the award along with the city government of Panabo. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

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