The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has passed a resolution requesting Mayor Greg G. Gasataya to strictly implement City Ordinance No. 641, Series of 2013, also known as the “Bacolod Anti-Smoking Regulation Ordinance.”
The resolution also calls for the immediate reconvening of the Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force (BASTF) to strengthen enforcement, Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito said on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
The resolution, authored by Distrito and co-authored by Councilors Dindo Ramos, Celia Flor, and Israel Salanga, aims to address widespread violations of anti-smoking laws.
These violations include smoking in public places and public transportation, as well as non-compliance by some establishments with requirements for Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs), Distrito said.
City Ordinance No. 641 aligns with Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which seeks to protect public health.
The City Council emphasized that the Task Force must also address the proliferation of illegal and non-compliant cigarette products in Bacolod. These products not only deprive the government of excise tax revenues but also make tobacco more accessible to minors.
Distrito, who served as BASTF vice chair from 2016 to 2019, described the resolution as a “call to action.”
“While we already have a strong anti-smoking ordinance, its effectiveness depends on strict implementation. During my term…we saw how consistent monitoring and enforcement can bring real results. We owe it to our people, especially the youth, to protect them from the harmful effects of tobacco and ensure that our public spaces remain safe and smoke-free”, he said.
Ramos highlighted the economic and enforcement aspects, saying that in addition to protecting public health, strict enforcement will “curb the spread of illegal cigarette products that deprive the government of much-needed revenues.”
He added that a proactive Task Force would help ensure that Bacolod is not only a healthy city but also a law-abiding one.
Flor stressed the importance of public education.
“We must pair strict enforcement with public education,” she said.
“Through campaigns and information drives, we can raise awareness and encourage responsible behavior. This is about building a healthier Bacolod for future generations”, she said.
Salanga noted that smoking in prohibited places and non-compliance by some establishments have become too common. He believes that by reconvening the Task Force, the city can “restore discipline, monitor compliance, and ensure that the ordinance truly serves its purpose.”
The approved resolution underscores the City Council’s commitment to upholding health and safety in Bacolod City, Distrito said,
“The Council hopes that by urging Mayor Gasataya to reconvene the BASTF, the city will see a renewed and more effective implementation of its anti-smoking ordinance,” he added.*