Albay’s smoke-free ordinance now in effect

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov 26 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Albay has publicly launched on November 19 one of the province’s landmark ordinance prohibiting smoking in all public places manifesting an intensified campaign to ensure healthy lifestyle and protection of environment.

At least 500 anti-smoking advocates from government sectors, led by Albay provincial government officials, and private sectors thronged to the main streets of this city joining the advocacy parade and converged at the provincial park for the launching program.

The anti-smoking provincial ordinance takes effect 90 days after publication in local newspaper of general circulation.

The said ordinance was authored by board member and Committee on Health and Social Services chairman Herbert Borja and signed by Albay governor Joey Salceda last May 16 this year.

The launching of the provincial ordinance also paves the way for the full implementation of plans and activities and enforcement of policies that would apply to all persons, whether natural or juridical, whether resident or not, and all places, found in the three cities and 15 municipalities of Albay.

Borja said the legislative measure aims to protect and promote the right to health of the people, hence, the ordinance prohibiting smoking in public, private places whether enclosed or outdoor.

The ordinance also prohibits the purchase and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors. It also imposes restrictions on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship activities of tobacco companies.

Also under this ordinance under section 9, referring to penalties, the provision states that any person found violating this ordinance will be fined P 500 for the first offense; P 1,000 for the second offense; and P 3,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.


In case the violator has no money to pay the fine he or she may opt to render community service such as cleaning the parks, canals, esteros, public markets and other public places or tree planting.

Tasked to pursue information dissemination and monitor the enforcement of anti-smoking advocacies of the province is the Smoke-Free Albay Network (SFAN).

SFAN was created through executive order No. 13-201 signed in October last year by Governor Joey Salceda, also the honorary chair, to monitor and encourage the enforcement of laws, circulars, ordinances and resolutions on anti-smoking.

It, too, promotes healthy lifestyle.

SFAN is an aggregation of national government agencies, local government offices and non-government organizations, including religious groups.

The provincial government’s provincial ordinance on anti-smoking complements programs of the Department of Health (DOH) but also the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which are mandated to promote public health through regulating cigarette or tobacco-smoking in public places.

Also highlighting the launch were messages on commitment of supports, led by board members and Committee on Environment chair Arnold Embestro, sectors of health, education, non-government organizations and civic society, national government offices, military and police, among others. (MAL/SAA-PIA5, Albay)


Sorsogon book to be launched Dec. 4

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Nov. 26 (PIA) -- It has been some time since a resident of Sorsogon has published a book. On Dec. 4, Tuesday, a book, written by a Sorsogon native will be launched at the Sorsogon Provincial Museum, Sorsogon City at 5 p.m.

Entitled, “We Are In The Same Boat: Recollections, Impressions, Admonitions,” the book contains essays, speeches, and feature articles many of which were published in Sorsogon Today, a local weekly newspaper.

The book is authored by Dr. Higino A. Ables Jr., PhD in Education and Communication which he obtained from Michigan State University, USA.

Dr. Ables explains why he chose to use the title “We Are In The Same Boat.”

He says that wherever we may live and whatever beliefs we may hold, we have common needs, goals, and problems.

This commonness of our concerns should “compel us all to learn from and live in peace with each other, for we are in the same boat.”

This volume of selected writings of Dr. Ables has four parts:

Part One – Where We Live, is all about Sorsogon: the small town Dr. Ables remembers as a boy, the city now beset with its problems of traffic and sanitation, among others; and a scenario of the city and the province.

Part Two – How We Live, defines social responsibility of citizens, self-fulfillment, and gives amusing anecdotes about forgetfulness.

Also, in Part Two, he provides tips on safe driving, how to live longer, how to be socially intelligent. He proffers advice to officials on how to leave their positions gracefully, and describes abuse of power by persons in authority.

Part Three – has recommendations on how to rationalize higher education further, the Sorsogon Community College, and how to strengthen universities and colleges in the country.

Based on his lengthy experience in University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), he gives practical advice to administrators, teachers and students.

The last part, Part Four – is a brief autobiography of Dr. Ables. It traces his ancestry, his early life in Sorsogon where he attended public schools before enrolling in UPLB on a 4-H Club scholarship.

Perhaps, recognizing his potentials, UPLB held on to him after he graduated from college, sent him on scholarship abroad, and employed him until he retired as professor. He now resides in Bitan-o, Sorsogon City.

Edited by Ferdie M. Aragon, the book includes color photographs, has 154 pages, and will be sold at the Museum after the book-launching. (MAL/BAR-PIA5, Sorsogon)