Reckless Baguio drivers/ Vape products seized from shops/ Momma
>> Tuesday, February 21, 2023
CITY
HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor
Benjamin Magalong warned reckless drivers especially of public utility vehicles
to reform or lose their driving privileges.
While Baguio drivers are generally known for their honesty, cool demeanor and respect for the law and authority, there are some who can be considered as "bad eggs" in the lot.
"There are some drivers who endanger the lives and safety of others, who ignore traffic rules and regulations and disregard the rights of pedestrians. There are also some who are rude to their passengers," the mayor said.
He encouraged residents to report these incidents for possible revocation of the drivers' licenses.
"Additionally, criminal and civil charges will be filed against them in accordance with the law," the mayor said.
***
A surprise inspection jointly conducted by the City Government through the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force, Dept. of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Feb. 15 yielded over P700,000 worth of vape juice and accessories seized from two vape shops located in Mabini St. and Kisad Road.
“Both shops were confirmed to have no business permits by the Permits and Licensing Division (PLD) while most e-cigarette products sold were non-compliant with the guidelines of the BIR, DTI and the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) making the products dangerous to health apart from being illegal,” the task force which is headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.
Daryll Longid, head enforcer of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) which along with the Baguio City Police Office serves as the operations arm of the task force, said the stores were caught selling products that do not contain graphic health warnings and that are in unauthorized forms and flavors.
“Their products come in many flavors and this is contrary to the law that allows only two flavors -- tobacco and menthol. They have candy, chocolate, fruit and other flavors that appeal to the younger generation," Longid said.
The task force said that in another inspection conducted last February 7, 2023, P1 million worth of e-cigarette products and paraphernalia were seized based on similar violations.
“These inspections were a joint effort to curb the illegal sale and distribution of e-cigarette products and the increasing prevalence of vape use among residents,” the task force said.
Dr. Donnabel Panes, Medical Officer and Tobacco Control Coordinator of the City Health Services Office said the operations are done as part of the task force’s commitment to “uphold the law and save our children from getting addicted to this new form of tobacco products.”
Panes expressed alarm that a lot of children and adults now get enticed and hooked due to the e-cigarette's colors, forms and flavors.
A vendor told the task force that a lot of students, some in their uniforms, enter the vape shops especially around 4 p.m.
The task force said that Dr. Madeleine Valera, senior technical adviser of the International Union Against Lung Disease mentioned that "there are already more than 2,000 chemicals identified in e-cigarette products and more are being identified every week.”
Dr. Valera warned that e-cigarette also mentioned that it is similar to the traditional cigarette containing thousands of chemicals.
The operations are part of the continued implementation of City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017 or the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance which also regulates the use and sale of electronic nicotine delivery products (ENDS) including vape products.
It is also anchored on Republic Act 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulations Act, RA 11467 which mandates regulation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FDA Advisory 2022-1069 which bans the distribution, importation, manufacturing, sale, offer for sale and online retail of flavored liquid refill solutions other than tobacco and menthol flavor for vapor products starting May 25, 2029.
***
Mayor Magalong's call for the stoppage of indiscriminate spitting of betel nut or "moma" quid triggered positive actions from those engaged in the business.
Moma vendors banded together to produce and hang banners and put up signs containing reminders on Ordinance 35, series of 2020 which regulates the chewing, spitting of betel quid or moma in public places.
The ordinance also bans selling of moma products to minors. Penalties range from P500 to P2,000 in fine or 4 to 8 hours of community service.
Leaflets were also being distributed to their patrons.
All stall owners at the Dangwa station also agreed to clean up areas with quid marks, residues and other wastes.
"Napagkasunduan din po ng mga lahat na stall owners na magtutulong po kami sa pagpapalinis at paglilinis sa mga areas na madumi," the traders told the mayor.
The mayor on Feb. 7 called on barangay officials, moma traders and cooperative/transport officials to help arrest the practice of indiscriminate spitting of moma residues expressing disgust over unsightly and near-permanent red stains in public areas such as parks, terminal, streets and even church grounds.
The issue is not only cleanliness, but health, sanitation and hygiene, and that quid could even spread virus, he said.
Years of using the betel nut and its additives may lead to oral cancer, addiction and unsightly colored teeth and mouth.
The mayor said the community needs to help as the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) could not keep track of all moma chewers as they have crime-fighting and other duties, the mayor ended.
While Baguio drivers are generally known for their honesty, cool demeanor and respect for the law and authority, there are some who can be considered as "bad eggs" in the lot.
"There are some drivers who endanger the lives and safety of others, who ignore traffic rules and regulations and disregard the rights of pedestrians. There are also some who are rude to their passengers," the mayor said.
He encouraged residents to report these incidents for possible revocation of the drivers' licenses.
"Additionally, criminal and civil charges will be filed against them in accordance with the law," the mayor said.
***
A surprise inspection jointly conducted by the City Government through the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force, Dept. of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Feb. 15 yielded over P700,000 worth of vape juice and accessories seized from two vape shops located in Mabini St. and Kisad Road.
“Both shops were confirmed to have no business permits by the Permits and Licensing Division (PLD) while most e-cigarette products sold were non-compliant with the guidelines of the BIR, DTI and the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) making the products dangerous to health apart from being illegal,” the task force which is headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.
Daryll Longid, head enforcer of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) which along with the Baguio City Police Office serves as the operations arm of the task force, said the stores were caught selling products that do not contain graphic health warnings and that are in unauthorized forms and flavors.
“Their products come in many flavors and this is contrary to the law that allows only two flavors -- tobacco and menthol. They have candy, chocolate, fruit and other flavors that appeal to the younger generation," Longid said.
The task force said that in another inspection conducted last February 7, 2023, P1 million worth of e-cigarette products and paraphernalia were seized based on similar violations.
“These inspections were a joint effort to curb the illegal sale and distribution of e-cigarette products and the increasing prevalence of vape use among residents,” the task force said.
Dr. Donnabel Panes, Medical Officer and Tobacco Control Coordinator of the City Health Services Office said the operations are done as part of the task force’s commitment to “uphold the law and save our children from getting addicted to this new form of tobacco products.”
Panes expressed alarm that a lot of children and adults now get enticed and hooked due to the e-cigarette's colors, forms and flavors.
A vendor told the task force that a lot of students, some in their uniforms, enter the vape shops especially around 4 p.m.
The task force said that Dr. Madeleine Valera, senior technical adviser of the International Union Against Lung Disease mentioned that "there are already more than 2,000 chemicals identified in e-cigarette products and more are being identified every week.”
Dr. Valera warned that e-cigarette also mentioned that it is similar to the traditional cigarette containing thousands of chemicals.
The operations are part of the continued implementation of City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017 or the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance which also regulates the use and sale of electronic nicotine delivery products (ENDS) including vape products.
It is also anchored on Republic Act 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulations Act, RA 11467 which mandates regulation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FDA Advisory 2022-1069 which bans the distribution, importation, manufacturing, sale, offer for sale and online retail of flavored liquid refill solutions other than tobacco and menthol flavor for vapor products starting May 25, 2029.
***
Mayor Magalong's call for the stoppage of indiscriminate spitting of betel nut or "moma" quid triggered positive actions from those engaged in the business.
Moma vendors banded together to produce and hang banners and put up signs containing reminders on Ordinance 35, series of 2020 which regulates the chewing, spitting of betel quid or moma in public places.
The ordinance also bans selling of moma products to minors. Penalties range from P500 to P2,000 in fine or 4 to 8 hours of community service.
Leaflets were also being distributed to their patrons.
All stall owners at the Dangwa station also agreed to clean up areas with quid marks, residues and other wastes.
"Napagkasunduan din po ng mga lahat na stall owners na magtutulong po kami sa pagpapalinis at paglilinis sa mga areas na madumi," the traders told the mayor.
The mayor on Feb. 7 called on barangay officials, moma traders and cooperative/transport officials to help arrest the practice of indiscriminate spitting of moma residues expressing disgust over unsightly and near-permanent red stains in public areas such as parks, terminal, streets and even church grounds.
The issue is not only cleanliness, but health, sanitation and hygiene, and that quid could even spread virus, he said.
Years of using the betel nut and its additives may lead to oral cancer, addiction and unsightly colored teeth and mouth.
The mayor said the community needs to help as the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) could not keep track of all moma chewers as they have crime-fighting and other duties, the mayor ended.
As a tourism
city, Baguio should be kept clean and green by its own residents, the mayor
added.
Apart from
the ordinance, Resolution no. 11, Series of 2023 earnestly request bar owners,
pub houses and other entertainment establishments to regularly flush or wash
off betel nut sputum and other unsanitary floor stains within their premises.
The mayor
said he will also advocate for the strengthening of the ordinance. –With
reports from Julie G. Fianza and UB intern Grian Villanueva
911 caller prosecuted for prank apologizes
Aileen P. Refuerzo
CITYU -- A prank caller who was sued for unjust vexation of violation of Presidential Decree 1727 issued a publicBAGUIO apology for inconsiderate and flippant use of the Baguio City Emergency 911 hotline.
Anthony Balcita, a resident of this city, posted his apology as part of the compromise agreement after a court-administered mediation process on the case filed against him by Dan Michael Ocampo and Juanito Areola, both employees of the Baguio City Command Center which is overseeing the hotline.
“(Ako) ay taos pusong humihingi ng tawad sa Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Baguio at sa pangkalahatang publiko para sa walang ingat at pabirong pagtawag sa 911 hotline. Hindi (ko) intension na seryosohing takutin ang publiko o ang gobyerno o saktan sila sa anumang paraan,” Balcita wrote.
“Ngayon napagnilaynilayan (ko), kinikilala (ko) na ang (aking) nagawa ay hindi tama. Naiintindihan naming ngayon na ang paggamit o pagtawag sa 911 emergency hotline ay nararapat lamang gamitin o tawagan tuwing emergency. Muli taos puso kaming hunihingi ng paumanhin sa hindi pag-iingat sa aming mga aksyon;
“Makatitiyak at makakasiguro kayong hindi na ito mauulit at nanunumpa kami na gagamitin o tatawagan lamang ang 911 hotline sa tuwing may emergency o kapag talagang nangangailangan kami ng agarang tulong.”
In their joint affidavit-complaint, Ocampo and Arreola said they received over a hundred “mischievous and irritating phone calls” from a telephone number traced to Balcita from Nov. 1 to December 30, 2021 and from Feb. 2 to March 22, 2022.
“Despite the warning given through ‘text blast’ that prank calls are in violation of Executive Order No. 56.., the number continued to make irritating, disturbing and annoying numerous prank calls… Whenever we will ask the reason for the call, the silence on the other line irritates us and disturbs our performance of our official duties,” the complainant said.
The complaint eventually led to a mediation and compromise agreement.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier expressed alarm on the continued proliferation of prank and drop calls made to 911.
He warned that such calls are being traced, tagged or chased for filing of appropriate charges.
“May this incident serve as example to others engaging in similar nefarious act,” he said.
Since the line was opened in October 2021, the command center has received a total of 22,118 prank calls, at total of 44,641 drop calls, 28,380 wrong number, 7,732 miscellaneous calls with only 1,052 legitimate calls received.
The helpline which operates 24/7 provides emergency response to any emergency. It can be accessed by direct telephone calls or through the Baguio in my Pocket (BIMP) application at https://www.baguioinmypocket.ph.
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