No strike for transport group/ Universities against vape

 CITY HALL  BEAT 

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong thanked the city’s transport sector for again not joining the nationwide “tigil-pasada” last Oct. 16, 2023.
    “We express our gratitude to the public utility vehicle federation and associations for once again putting public service over their personal interests.  Your selfless act of always honoring your role as providers of essential service to the riding public is truly commendable.  Maraming salamat,” the mayor said.
    The Baguio City Police Office under City Director P Col. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. said there was no monitored movement to join the Manibela transport strike in all of the stations that day.
    Nonetheless, they prepared contingency measures like the provision of “Libreng Sakay” units in all of the stations for any eventuality. 
    For years now, PUV associations in the city had refused to join restive actions on causes involving the sector.
    Last March when another mass action was planned nationwide,  Wilson Bumay-et Jr., president of the Baguio-Benguet Jeepney Federation, said to represent almost 95 percent jeepney associations within Baguio City and Benguet said they do not support the call for transport strike as it “demeans the principle of public service which does not only mean providing public transportation on our part but also providing help to those in need.”
    As providers of essential services at a rate where the public can afford, the continuity of our service is of much more importance than the recognition or compensation we may receive.”
    He said that although transport issues like the modernization program of the government “is a challenge to every member in the transport group, it is not a reason to go beyond the true meaning of serving the riding public especially when our children, the economy and the good of everybody is at stake.”
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Two Baguio City universities —the University of the Cordilleras and University of Baguio — took a firm stand against smoking and vaping by implementing a crackdown to curtail these harmful vices in support of the city government’s Smoke-Free Baguio campaign.
    Both universities adopted policies prohibiting vape gadgets and cigarettes inside their premises and sneaking in items were immediately confiscated.
    To show their seriousness in pursuing the campaign, the schools, through their student affairs offices, conducted a ceremonial crushing of the seized items last Oct. 20, 2023 in coordination with the Smoke-Free Task Force.  UC destroyed a total of 246 confiscated vape units while UB crushed an almost identical number at 245.
    The Smoke-Free Task Force headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong lauded the universities’ efforts saying schools play a crucial role in curbing smoking and vaping which continues to be a serious threat to the health and well-being of the city’s youths.
“    The academe has made a statement to promote a smoke-free environment for their students and this is a big boost to the city’s campaign,” the task force said.
     The crushed devices were turned over to the City Health Services Office for proper disposal as hazardous wastes. – With a report from KJ Pagada