MMDA takes anti-smoking drive to schools

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said it would be expanding its anti-smoking information drive into various Metro schools.

MMDA Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Director  Loida Labao-Alzona said the agency in particular will focus on high school students.

"We are coordinating with schools on this issue since school administrations have the mandate over high school students who are into smoking,” Labao-Alzona said.

Labao-Alzona said the MMDA will also be aided by the Department of Health (DOH) and other non-government organizations in the conduct of its information drive.

According to the MMDA, minors who are smoking in public cannot be simply arrested. Smokers in public once caught are made to pay a P500 fine, while those who cannot pay the penalty are made to render eight hours of community service.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency has formed a task force to closely monitor establishments and street vendors for possible violation of the Tobacco Regulations Act, especially those who are selling cigarettes to minors, including students.

Aside from government agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd) and DOH, the MMDA, Tolentino added, already has an existing alliance with the New York-based Bloomberg Philantrophies to help them in their anti-smoking drive.  - Mike Frialde