ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government is now strictly prohibiting smoking and vaping in all its offices, facilities and premises.
Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. on August 5, 2022 issued Memorandum Order No. 12 which contains guidelines on smoking prohibition in all Iloilo provincial government offices, facilities and its premises.
The governor’s basis on the implementation of the prohibition on smoking and vaping was the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 17, 2009, in accordance to Provincial Ordinance Number 2019-214 entitled, “An ordinance prohibiting the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places, imposing penalties for violations thereof and providing fund therefore and for other purposes and other related laws, rules, and regulations.”
Here are the guidelines on the implementation of “no smoking policy” in all Iloilo provincial government offices, facilities and its premises:
* cigarette smoking or vaping in all Iloilo provincial government offices, facilities, and its premises is strictly prohibited;
* selling/distribution of cigarette/vaping component within the Iloilo provincial government offices, facilities and its premises within one hundred (100) meters radius from any point of the perimeters is strictly prohibited;
* remove from the places where smoking is prohibited all ashtrays and other receptacles for disposing of cigarettes refuse;
* smoking is strictly prohibited inside the Iloilo provincial government vehicles; and
* solicitation, acceptance from any person or business related to the tobacco industry are strictly discouraged.
It was also stated in the memorandum order that “no smoking” signage shall be posted at the entrance of the area visible to the public.
Defensor reminded the government employees that violation of the memorandum order has penalties:
* first offense – subject for smoking cessation and counseling,
* second offense – suspension of one month and one day to six months, and
* third offense – dismissal from the service.
The order added that employees of the provincial government shall be administratively charged for violating this policy or his/her employment contract shall not be renewed in case of personnel under contract./PN