Naval town to contend in the DOH Red Orchid Awards 2011

By LANIE PITAO-TUPAZ, PIA Biliran
February 1, 2011

NAVAL, Biliran  –  Naval, the capital town of the province of Biliran and classified as 2nd class municipality, was nominated to the DOH Red Orchid Awards 2011 for its efforts in controlling smoking in the town particularly in public places and public utility vehicles.

The town of Naval through its local legislative body enacted Municipal Ordinance No. 03-2010 or “The Smoke Free Ordinance of the Municipality of Naval” to regulate and prohibit the use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places of the municipality.

Talks with the sectors in the community were tackled to disseminate the provisions of the said ordinance, including the penalties it entails for violators.

Formal launching and implementation of the said ordinance is on February 7 with its task force to monitor and enforce said law.

The DOH Red Orchid Awards 2011 aims to commend the 100% tobacco-free provinces, municipalities, cities, government offices, DOH Centers for Health Development and DOH hospitals to save the 10 Filipinos who die every hour and the one-third of the population who is at risk of dying from debilitating diseases due to tobacco use; to save the estimated P149 billion annually lost due to productivity and health care cost of the top 4 tobacco-related diseases, namely: cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and to protect the youth from the harmful effects of tobacco use and exposure.

Centers for Health Development (CHD) have started the screening and validation of the nominees in November 2010.  Awarding of winners is on May 31, 2011.