For the first time, the City Government of Legazpi, City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, the Smoke-Free Committee with partner, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) give special recognition to top enforcers of the anti-smoking ordinance during the yearend evaluation of the Smoke-Free Campaign on December 23, 2009 held at Boklan Food Center in Legazpi City.

The awardees come from the rooster of Legazpi’s Finest Police (PNP), Public Safety Office (PSO) and deputized civilian enforcers.

Among the top thirteen (13) enforcers were from Philippine National Police (PNP) of Legazpi City Police Station, Police Inspector Jose Harran Orayan, SPO1 Christopher Lozano, PO3 AI A de los Reyes, PO2 Homer Realuyo, PO2 Herwin Balonzo; from Public Safety Office (PSO), Jessie Macaraeg, Vicente Ricardo Camacho Jr., Elmer Amoyan, Hector Lagunday, Ronald Selfides, Jury Nipas; and deputized civilian enforcers, Dennis B. Ante and Pastor Deodato E. Quintela. They were recommended by the Team Enforcement.
According to Legazpi City Police Superintendent Edgardo L. Ardales, head of Team Enforcement, from January 1, 2009 to this date, a total of 303 citation tickets were issued to smoke-free ordinance violators. “In analysis, majority of the violators infringed the smoking in public with one hundred ninety-eight (198) tickets followed by smoking while driving a PUV with ninety-five (95) apprehensions and smoking in public conveyance with ten (10) infractions that were issued citation tickets”,Ardales stressed.

Former Legazpi City Police Chief Supt Rolando Esguera also received recognition for his strong enforcement of the smoke-free campaign during his assignment prior to his retirement. Esguera, together with PSupt Edgardo Ardales and Chief Inspector Gilbert D. Dolot, City Fire Marshall were cited for their leadership in the enforcement of the ordinance.

Mayor Noel Rosal challenged the awardees as well as their colleagues to do more. Rosal expressed strong belief in the power and potentials of his constituents to change and build better future in the lives of the next generation by implementing good programs and projects such as the smoke-free campaign.

Special recognition were also accorded to partners and donors who provided “No Smoking” stickers and signages which were posted within Legazpi City and built much awareness to the public, constructed and maintained the www.smokefreelegazpi.com website and partnered in the conduct of smoking cessation program.

Smoke-Free Committee Chairperson Ms. Rose Olarte-Orbita announced that Team Smoke-Free-Legazpi is preparing for 2010 having been nominated to the Red Orchid Award of the Department of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).