BACOLOD City — Concerned over persistent smoking violations in schools, public transport areas, hospitals, plazas, and other public spaces, members of the Bacolod City Council are calling on the city government to strengthen enforcement of the city’s anti-smoking law through a coordinated multi-agency campaign.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recently approved a resolution urging the Office of the City Mayor to reinvigorate the implementation of City Ordinance No. 641, Series of 2013, or the Comprehensive Bacolod City Anti-Smoking Ordinance, particularly in areas where smoking remains prevalent despite existing prohibitions.
Authored by Councilor Atty. Caesar Z. Distrito, the resolution seeks stricter enforcement in and around schools, public utility jeepneys (PUJs), transport terminals, the downtown district, hospital grounds, public plazas, gasoline stations, and other designated smoke-free areas.
Distrito said the measure was prompted by continuing reports and public observations of individuals smoking in places regularly frequented by students, commuters, patients, and other members of the public.
“More than a decade after the enactment of our Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, we continue to see violations in places where smoking is clearly prohibited. This resolution seeks to ensure that the ordinance is not only on paper but is consistently enforced for the protection of public health,” he said.
The resolution underscores the right of every Bacolodnon to clean air and protection from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke, particularly among vulnerable sectors such as children, students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and hospital patients.
Distrito noted that smoking continues to be observed in school vicinities, including covered walkways, waiting areas, and other spaces frequented by students, exposing minors and non-smokers to potential health risks.
The measure also cited continued violations in and around public utility jeepneys and transport terminals despite restrictions under the city ordinance, Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, and Executive Order No. 26, which established smoke-free environments in public and enclosed spaces.
“The continued presence of smoking in public places undermines the objectives of our smoke-free policies and poses unnecessary health risks to the public. We owe it to our children, commuters, patients, and all Bacolodnons to ensure that these laws are properly implemented,” Distrito said.
Under the resolution, the City Mayor is encouraged to direct and coordinate enforcement efforts among the City Legal Office Enforcement Team, the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), the City Health Office (CHO), the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD), barangay officials and authorized enforcement personnel, as well as the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
The council is also pushing for regular anti-smoking operations, intensified monitoring activities, broader public awareness campaigns, and the installation and maintenance of visible “No Smoking” signages across the city. Consistent apprehension of violators and the issuance of citations are likewise being encouraged to ensure compliance with existing laws and ordinances.
For Distrito, the resolution goes beyond penalties and enforcement.
“This resolution is not simply about issuing penalties. It is about protecting public health, promoting responsible behavior, and ensuring that our public spaces remain safe, healthy, and smoke-free for everyone,” he said.
The measure reflects the city government’s continuing efforts to promote healthier communities and strengthen compliance with smoke-free policies aimed at safeguarding the welfare of all Bacolod residents./PN
