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VOLUME 62 NUMBER 5 WALL NEWS EDITION OCTOBER 17, 2017 Bacolod reinforces Anti-Smoking Ordinance BY JYAN MARTELLA G. OPENA & VICTORIA MARIAN B. BELMIS Photo by Martini D. Falco fense while business establishments who allowed their cus- In support of President Duterte’s Executive Order (E.O) No. 26 tomers to smoke in non-designated smoking areas will be fined which bans smoking in public and enclosed places, Bacolod City Mayor, Committee on Health and Sanitation, representatives P3000-P5000 or revocation of business permit. Offenders who reinforced City Ordinance (C.O.) #641 Series of 2013 last July 22. from Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), City Health Office (CHO) , have paid will no longer be criminally charged. Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), City Administrator’s Of- “Before the nationwide ban, Bacolod City already has the fice, City Legal Office (CLO), City Treasurer’s Office and Permits In addition, as stated in the ordinance, violators caught in their comprehensive smoking ordinance. The City Ordinance has sim- and Licensing Division of the city, which makes the policies and third offense shall undergo Smoking Rehabilitation Program that ilar components to the E.O,” said Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, implements the smoking ban in the city. is to be conducted by the CHO of Bacolod. author of C.O. #641. “We also have the action team composed of the BCPO, BTAO Distrito also pointed out that the Department of Education is C.O. #641 or the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance aims and CLO. Their job is to apprehend violators,” Anti-Smoking also authorized to arrest anti-smoking violators within their re- to regulate smoking including conveyances, advertisements, Task Force Vice Chairman Caesar Distrito added. spective school campuses. promotion and sponsorships of tobacco products. Distrito said that violators will be fined P500 for the first of- Violators will be issued citation tickets and are given five days Councilor Distrito stressed that the ordinance does not prohib- to settle their accounts in order to prevent legal charges from it smoking in open public areas except: gasoline stations, hospi- being filed to them. Old City Hall, New Government Center, CHO, tals and other medical facilities, schools, parks and playgrounds, BCPO and BTAO would be open for payment transactions. airport and ship terminals as well as jeepney and bus stations; however, smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas. As of October 2017, a total of 500 violators and 50 establish- ments were apprehended due to smoking violations. Majority of Furthermore, the smoking ban prohibits the selling of tobac- the violators were found in the Bacolod City plaza and Downtown co products within 100m from the perimeter of schools, play- area. grounds and other facilities frequented by minors. “People are very receptive because most of them are Councilor Distrito also emphasized that it is unlawful for any non-smokers. I think there is no perfect implementation of a minor to sell or purchase cigarettes as well as to smoke even in policy but there is a great effort. People are becoming aware,” designated smoking areas. expressed Councilor Distrito, highlighting that the ordinance is a great start for eventually coming up with an Anti-Cigarette Ban Moreover, the ordinance aims to minimize cases of smok- in the country. ing-related diseases in the city and also, to inform and increase the awareness of the residents about the harmful effects of He also said that the City Government will continue to spread smoking. the awareness by education campaign and conducting lectures and symposiums especially to the youth. Also, the City Government of Bacolod reactivated the Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force, composed of the City Mayor and Vice Brighter Side of the Ban THESPECTRUM BY RIESA T. RODILLADO Leo, on the other hand, still keeps his FOUNDED 1956 business going. “Smokers are banned from “I stopped selling cigarettes the moment smoking, but we’re still allowed to sell.” facebook.com/thespectrumusls · [email protected] we were informed that there is a smoking stating how they didn’t had the information VOLUME 62 NUMBER 5 · OCTOBER 17, 2017 ban. I even have a city ordinance taped on to be banned from selling. “Smokers won’t my wall.” said store owner Melma Salazar. disappear in just a mere second.” So, how is Member Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists and Advisers “There really isn’t a huge loss in selling this not penalized? and College Editors Guild of the Philippines cigarette sticks individually,” she added. Turns out, the smoking ban is only Andrea Nicole C. Farol Katherine E. Co Zaira Store owner Leo Engada, however, applicable to certain conditions. Smoking EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR is a contrary. “Nothing changed. I’m still is prohibited on public and enclosed areas selling cigarettes just like all those other such as: gasoline, jeepney, and bus stations; Robert H. Jerge III Iris Denise N. Rivera stores on the row.” medical facilities; airport and ship terminals; MANAGING EDITOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR and places where children are roaming Two months ago, a nationwide smoking around but private establishments, however, NEWSPAPER EDITOR Christiana Claudia G. Gancayco ban was implemented and Barangay are allowed to provide their own designated ASST. NEWSPAPER EDITOR Starlene Joy B. Portillo Singcang is not an exception to the rule. smoking area. And if the store stands within a In an effort to make their community a hundred meters from perimeters of facilities MAGAZINE EDITOR Chad Martin Z. Natividad smoke-free environment, the barangay frequented by minors such as schools and ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR Joshua Martin P. Guanco pulled off several acts to ameliorate the playgrounds, selling is prohibited and Zairah said concern. They put up posters in places Store, and others in line, are nowhere near ONLINE EDITOR David Willem L. Molenaar frequented by smokers and took off cigarette the proximity. Although he earns from it, he LITERARY EDITOR Hezron G. Pios advertisements on stores. still follows the rule of not selling to minors. ASST. LITERARY EDITOR Lyle John L. Balana Salazar, upon hearing the announcement, There is no denying the good result to this HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Maria Angelica M. Ape did not think twice and immediately returned ordinance. Seeing catastrophe staring into ASST. HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Ian Kristoffer V. Ga the remaining packs of tobacco products mankind’s face, even small acts can make an PHOTOS AND VIDEOS EDITOR Nichol Francis. T. Anduyan to her supplier. With the city ordinance impact. If people are really eager to change LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR Jowan Dave G. Guides plastered on her store’s wall, she knew she for the better, they are most capable to face ASST. LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR Glen Jed J. Descutido had to, unless, paying a 500k fine or a month prospects no matter how bleak they appear of imprisonment was her option. to be. Contributing Staff Men, women, adults, and even minors WRITERS PHOTOS AND GRAPHICS Photo by Martini D. Falco Alvin Brian S. Legario Martini M. Falco Adrienne Carl S. Calvo tense about its inverse effects. Despite being Jyan Martella G. Opena Karen D. Panganiban a supplier to these people, she somehow Victoria Marian B. Belmis Shara Mae L. Pelayo appreciates the better movement. Riesa T. Rodillado Jean Lee C. Patindol stench her store with nicotine air. Throw PUBLICATION MODERATOR into this mix the specter of tuberculosis and pneumonia, it’s no surprise that Salazar is THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 5 · OCTOBER 17, 2017

VOLUME 62 NUMBER 6 WALL NEWS EDITION OCTOBER 17, 2017 Smoke-Free:Singcang-AirportIssuesCigarBan BY ADRIENNE CARL S. CALVO *Distrito Photo by Martini D. Falco to sell or distribute products to a minor (below 18 years of age). It is also prohibited for a minor to smoke cigarettes or any tobacco Singcang-Airport’s Brgy. Captain Rosinie Distrito banned smok- years old, elevators and stairwells, fire hazard locations, within products, sell or purchase them. ing in all public areas of the barangay in virtue of an Executive premises of private and public hospitals, public conveyances, res- Order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last May and imple- taurants, and food preparation areas. When caught, the offender is “It shall not be a defense for the person selling or distributing mented in late July. The Philippine E.O. 26 is entitled, “Providing fined with Php. 500–1,000 on the first offense; Php. 1,000 – 5,000 that he/she did not know or was not aware of the real age of the for the Establishment of Smoke-free Environments in Public and on the second offense, and on the third and last offense, a fine minor. Neither shall it be a defense that he/she did not know nor Enclosed Places.” of Php. 5,000 – 10,000 and revocation of business permits and had any reason to believe that the cigarette or any other tobacco licenses to operate (for the establishment where the offense was product was for the consumption of the minor to whom it was For the implementation of the E.O., the barangay took action by made). sold,” from Section 9: Minimum Age Sales of the abovementioned putting up posters in locations frequented by smokers and taking Act. off signage of cigarette advertisements in commercial stores. In addition, it is unlawful for any retailer of tobacco products Any person or establishment selling, distributing or purchasing “Una, gin una ko gid diri sa Barangay Hall. Nagbutang gid ako sa tobacco products for a minor shall be fined Php. 5,000 or an im- palibot na indi pwede makapanigarilyo – nagbutang sang karatula prisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, upon discretion of sa mga tabok sang eskwelahan kag mga tiangge. Nangayo man the court. For succeeding offenses, penalties are as follows: a fine kami bulig sa city [government] para sa mga establishment sa of Php. 5,000, imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, palibot kag subong ga amat-amat man kami sulod-sulod sa mga and revocation of business licenses and permits in the case of an kapurukan namon,” explained Distrito. establishment or business entity. The barangay has yet to issue an ordinance that covers the pen- Upon hearing the announcement for the nationwide smoking alties given to non-compliant citizens. In lieu of this, they directly ban, people of the barangay expressed their gratitude for there report the incidents to the city government which are then given have been several cases of tuberculosis and pneumonia reported action. through the years. With the ban in full implementation, health complications caused by first and second-hand smoking would be Violations under the smoking ban are punishable in accordance lessened. with the applicable penalties provided in Section 32 of the Repub- lic Act No. 9211, also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. Distrito said that for those who would like to quit smoking, their local health center can accommodate regular check-ups as well as Smoking is banned in public places such as: schools, youth vitamin provisions. hostels and recreational facilities for persons under eighteen (18) Never too Late to Stop THESPECTRUM BY ALVIN BRIAN S. LEGARIO STEP 3 FOUNDED 1956 Ask for help. A support system is a network Tobacco was introduced in the Philippines during facebook.com/thespectrumusls · [email protected] the Spanish colonization. Since then, Filipinos of of people who provide you with practical VOLUME 62 NUMBER 6 · OCTOBER 17, 2017 all kind, rich and poor, and sad to say, young and or emotional support. Treat this support old have been addicted to smoking cigarettes. system as the final wall of defense against Member Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists and Advisers But why is smoking addictive? It is because of the urges of smoking. and College Editors Guild of the Philippines nicotine, a chemical which, within 10 seconds of entering the body, reaches your brain and causes Once a smoker stops smoking, health Andrea Nicole C. Farol Katherine E. Co the brain to release adrenaline, creating a buzz of benefits will occur almost instantaneously. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR pleasure and energy. Within 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure drops. Robert H. Jerge III Iris Denise N. Rivera The average price of a pack of cigarettes in the Within 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level MANAGING EDITOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR Philippines is 65 pesos, and there are 20 pieces in your blood drops to normal. Within 2-12 of cigarettes per pack, that is 3.25 pesos per weeks, circulation in your body improves NEWSPAPER EDITOR Christiana Claudia G. Gancayco cigarette. For that amount, a Filipino can avail an and your lung function increases. Within ASST. NEWSPAPER EDITOR Starlene Joy B. Portillo easy way of pleasure and relaxation. Due to this, 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of the Philippines has one of the highest smoking breath decreases. Within 1 year, your risk MAGAZINE EDITOR Chad Martin Z. Natividad rates. This grants easy access to cigarettes and of coronary heart disease is about half that ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR Joshua Martin P. Guanco because of this, 28.3% of the Phippine population of a smoker’s. Within 5 years, your stroke are smokers. Studies from the National Institute risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to ONLINE EDITOR David Willem L. Molenaar on Drug Abuse show that addiction is a resultant 15 years after quitting. Within 10 years, your LITERARY EDITOR Hezron G. Pios of the following environmental factors: genetic risk of lung cancer falls to about half that differences and the unique susceptibility of of a smoker and your risk of cancer of the ASST. LITERARY EDITOR Lyle John L. Balana the target population. But this does not mean mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Maria Angelica M. Ape addiction can’t be cured. and pancreas decreases. Within 15 years, the ASST. HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Ian Kristoffer V. Ga risk of coronary heart disease is that of a PHOTOS AND VIDEOS EDITOR Nichol Francis. T. Anduyan With determination, a proper mindset, non smoker’s. LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR Jowan Dave G. Guides and proper guidance, a smoker will have the ASST. LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR Glen Jed J. Descutido resistance to put nicotine craving at bay. Quitting smoking is a step-by-step process that requires a lot of patience and hardwork. Contributing Staff Here are three simple steps on how to quit Photos by Martini D. Falco In the end, you reap what you sow, so plant smoking: your seeds well in life. WRITERS PHOTOS AND GRAPHICS STEP 1 STEP 2 Alvin Brian S. Legario Martini M. Falco Write a strategy on paper as this helps you stay Avoid cigarette seductions. These can be Adrienne Carl S. Calvo Jyan Martella G. Opena Karen D. Panganiban focused, confident, and motivated to stop. Write in the form of people, places, or things that Victoria Marian B. Belmis Shara Mae L. Pelayo why you want to stop, all the benefits and the trigger your smoking habits. In line with this, drawbacks. It is best to build your own strategy one should change your day-to-day routine to Riesa T. Rodillado because only you know your limitations. avoid anything that associates with smoking. Jean Lee C. Patindol PUBLICATION MODERATOR THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 6 · OCTOBER 17, 2017