LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Pangasinan is setting its sights on becoming a ‘smoke and vape-free province’ under the leadership of Governor Ramon V. Guico III. This development follows a decisive move to engage the participation and support of all local government units throughout the province in achieving this goal.
Recently, 28 local government units (LGUs) in Pangasinan joined the Batch 2 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Training, held from October 1 to 3 at Hotel Seoul, Clark Pampanga. The first batch, which was conducted from August 7 to 9, was participated in by 22 LGUs.
The three-day training empowers local leaders, health officers, and policy makers to advance the province’s smoke-free and vape-free vision. Guided by Provincial Ordinance No. 317-2024 or the Comprehensive Smoke-Free Ordinance of Pangasinan, authored by 4th District Board Member (BM) Jerry Agerico B. Rosario, the activity focuses on the global MPOWER strategy.
Conducted in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), ASH Philippines, Provincial Department of Health Office (PDHO), Provincial Health Office (PHO), and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, the MPOWER strategy includes the monitoring of tobacco/vape use and prevention policies; protection of people from secondhand smoke; assistance to quit tobacco use; warning against ill effects of tobacco use; enforcement of bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; raising of taxes on tobacco products.
During the training, BM Rosario, chair of Committee on Health, emphasized the urgency of addressing smoking, a leading preventable cause of death. “Here we are now, and hopefully, with FCTC, we can contribute to (solving) this problem by eliminating one of the main sources of these three top causes of admission and top causes of mortality: heart disease, CVA, and stroke. And that one is smoking,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Florante E. Trinidad, National Professional Officer of WHO-Philippines, highlighted the significance of the provincial ordinance. “Importante na ma-appreciate ng ating LGUs na ang Pangasinan ay nagkaroon ng provincial ordinance. Ito ang nag-translate ng FCTC into domestic law, at ito ay para sa mas malawak na proteksyon ng ating mga kababayan laban sa panganib ng paninigarilyo,” Dr. Trinidad stated.
So far, nine LGUs, Calasiao, San Carlos City, Anda, Rosales, Umingan, Binalonan, Manaoag, Pozorrubio, and Dagupan City, have formally adopted the ordinance. (Rich Majin|RFR-PIMRO)
