THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed the “Comprehensive Smoke-Free Ordinance of the Province of Pangasinan” regulating the use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products, electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems and other novel tobacco products in certain places and imposing penalties for violations thereof to instill health consciousness and for other purposes.

Fourth District Board Member Jerry Agerico Rosario, author of the ordinance, said the ordinance seeks to safeguard public health and ensure the well-being of all its constituents from the harmful effects of smoking, tobacco consumption, and vaping by decreasing exposure to its marketing and advertising, restricting its use, sale, distribution, and accessibility, and providing a supportive and conducive environment for users to quit.

Considered prohibited by the ordinance are 1. Smoking/vaping in public places, workplaces, public conveyances (whether mobile or stationary), schools, government offices, hospitals . 2. Tolerating smoking/vaping. 3. Selling to persons below the Minimum Legal Age. 4. Manufacturing, sale and distribution of unregistered or adulterated electronic cigarettes and components.

A Task Force, headed by the Governor will be created to aid in the implementation, enforcement, and monitoring of the ordinance.

The penalties for violations are: 1) P1,000, P2,000 and P3,000 for the first, second and third offenses plus imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the third and subsequent offenses. 2) Penalties from P3,000 to P5,000 with imprisonment for the first to third and subsequent offenses for violating sales/access restriction and advertising and promotions Ban. 3) Suspension or revocation of business license or permit may be prescribed (in case of a business entity or establishment), if applicable. (Eva Visperas),

 

Advocates for native trees: Capitol’s tree-cutting good for environment

 AFTER all the flak that the Guico administration received for its controversial tree-cutting to give way to Reflecting Pool and Interactive Fountain, one would think that all environmental groups would join the fray but not so.

An environmental group finds the activity an opportunity to promote native trees.

Forrester Celso Salazar, president of the Pangasinan Native Trees Enthusiasts Inc. said that while they are dismayed with the felling of trees, this may actually prove beneficial to the local flora and fauna.
In an interview over Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan, Salazar said that the majority of the trees removed were “undesirable exotic or foreign tree species” that actually destroy the biodiversity makeup of the capitol ground in Lingayen.

Out of hundreds of felled trees, there were only three narra trees, four agoho trees, and 13 talisay (umbrella) trees considered native.

The rest were considered exotic, and may harm the local ecosystem.

Mahogany, for example, is considered a bane in the local ecosystem as it is not recognized by local animals — no birds make nest in it, and no ants inhabit it.

“Magandang pagkakataon ito para makapagtanim tayo ng mga native trees as replacement doon sa mga pinutol,” said Salazar.
Salazar said his group met with some department heads and recommended the replacement of trees cut with sapling size – around five to six feet high, of native flowering trees come wet season this year.

“Hindi seedlings ang pinapakisuyo natin, kundi saplings na. May kataasan na ang mga ito, kaya magiging sandali na lamang bago uli ito makapagbigay ng lilim sa lugar,” he said.

Salazar assured the public that they will closely monitor the PPG’s compliance with the replanting requirement of the DENR. (Ahikam Pasion)

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