The city government is studying what penalties it will impose on violators of the national smoking ban in public places within Puerto Princesa.
City information officer-in-charge and Anti-Crime Task Force (ACTF) head Richard Ligad said that they are currently implementing “Oplan Sita” for the violators but do not yet have the power to impose a penalty.
He said that the anti-smoking ordinance of the city government and Executive Order of President Rodrigo Duterte have differences in the amount of penalty so that they have to study what will be imposed.
“Mayron tayong city ordinance kung saan ipinagbabawal ang paninigarilyo sa public. May mga penalties at tinitignan ‘yon ngayon kung papaano natin i-implement ang pagmulta kasi mayron din inilabas na executive order ni Pangulong Duterte at mukhang magkaiba ang mga penalty. Mas mahal ang national kaya tinitignan ngayon kung papaano,” he said during the regular meeting of Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Palawan Chapter on Tuesday.
Ligad said that based on the city ordinance, an amount of P200 will be imposed for the first offense, P400 for second and P500 for the third offense.
In addition, Ligad said that once it is finalized, all members of ACTF will be deputized by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office for environmental law compliance.
“Titignan pa kasi may proposal na baka pwedeng mag-lagay ng smoking area sa public areas kasi kapag private ay required ka. Kapag mayron ng nailagay na smoking area ay kailangan din na ma-deputize ng City ENRO ang mga anti-crime natin. ‘Yong iba dyan sa mahuhuli ay magtatanong ‘yan kung deputized ba tayo,” he said.
Law enforcers have started the implementation of the ban on October 15.
