Four cities in Metro Manila have intensified the enforcement of their antismoking ordinances after聽 the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started its metrowide drive against smoking in public places.
The cities of Muntinlupa,聽 Caloocan, Mandaluyong and Para帽aque are implementing stricter antismoking rules based on existing ordinances.
The four cities鈥� ordinances defined open spaces as 鈥減ublic places鈥� which, according to the MMDA, expanded the coverage of the tobacco regulation law.
In Muntinlupa, business establishments in the city have been ordered to remove signages advertising tobacco products and to designate smoking areas or face sanctions.
According to Omar Acosta, Muntinlupa City public information officer, signages or tarpaulins of tobacco products are no longer allowed in the city.
Stiff fines
Starting next week, the City Health Officer and the Engineering Office will inspect the designated smoking areas provided by establishments.
Smokers caught outside designated smoking areas face a fine ranging from P500 to P10,000 or community service. Business permits of erring establishments can also be revoked upon the discretion of city hall.
As of July 14, a total of 72 people, 20 of whom were minors, were caught smoking in public areas in Muntinlupa.
In Pasig City,聽 43 commercial establishments have been found defying the anti-smoking law.
Most of these were convenience stores and restaurants located in Pasig鈥檚 commercial areas including Julia Vargas Home Depot, Ortigas Center, and the Metrowalk, said Raquel Naciongayo,聽 chief of the City Environment and Natural Resources.
鈥淢ajority of them have received citation tickets from us, and then they got fines for a second offense. But still, they keep violating the law,鈥� she said.
Most of the business establishments were found with no designated areas for smoking.
She said restaurants, bar, disco and other similar establishments are mandated to provide a designated smoking area which should be enclosed and separated from the rest of the premises.
Antismoking violators
Eighteen of the businesses violated the tobacco law鈥檚 advertising ban while one was found selling cigarettes within 100 meters from a children鈥檚 park.
The alleged violators in Pasig City were Hang-over Bar, Hanston Bldg., Raffles Corporate Center, Hanston Bldg./ Ministop,聽 Mircantel Ventures Inc., 7-Eleven Emerald, Uncle Moe鈥檚 Shawarma Hub, Bugsy鈥檚 Bar and Bistro, Boken and Angela鈥檚 Merchandise, Bluefrog Restaurant,
Daddy鈥檚 Burger, Mr. Michael Imperial鈥搊wner, Buzz Point, Wynsum Corporate Plaza, Wynsum Bldg.鈥檚 7-Eleven, Emerald Bldg., AIC Brugane Bldg., VO6 Resto Bar, Orient Bldg., Qualings Resto Beer Grill, Ang Pulo, Persian Square, 3B鈥檚 Restaurant Inc. Decades Cocktail Lounge,
Dencio鈥檚 Bar & Grill, Kudos 168 Restaurant & Bar, Cue Sticks Food & Drinks, Inc. Elbow Room鈥揟he Lounge, Mugen Bar & Restaurant Inc., Yahoo Barbecue, V58 Restobar, Foamy Brens, Skakey鈥檚,
Fat Michael鈥檚 Castro Pub, Chef and Brewer, Cafe Sis, Pasto, Congo Grill, Lasapin Food, Racks, Enigma, Butiny鈥檚 Grill, Jay-J鈥檚 Chicken Inasal restaurants, Entablado Bar, Twist Resto Bar.