P1.8M collected from anti-smoking violators

THE Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) collected some P1.8 million fines from apprehended smokers from April to July 2017.

ASTF head and Vice Regulation unit head Retired Captain Voltaire Engracia, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao yesterday, said the collection was based on the fines plus polluter’s fee.

“Based on the report of the City Treasurer’s Office, they have already collected a total of P1.8 million plus polluter’s fee, as of April to July, excluding August,” he said.

He added their office has already reached more or less 9,000 apprehensions.

“This means that we have caught many in our implementation but then, I have a different strategy. I am now going down to the barangay level since we have noticed that people have already avoided smoking in public,” Engracia said.

Since they have regulated public smoking, they now eye the issuance notice of apprehension to those who are smoking in non-designated areas

especially in different villages in the city. “We will utilize our volunteers in barangays, homeowners, and sari-sari store [owners],” he said.

He added they discourage sarisari stores owners from allowing smokers to light up in their premises.

Engracia said they will serve notice of apprehension to violators and this will summon them to the ASTF office.

Engracia said he is preparing the budget schedule for the hiring of seven personnel who will serve as additional staff at his office.

He added that he is also eyeing to hire consultants. KVC