Caticlan/Cagban Jetty Ports and Terminals Prohibits Smoking

Effective August 1, 2010, smoking is strictly prohibited in Caticlan/Cagban Jetty Ports and Passenger Terminals. The prohibition is mandated by Provincial Ordinance No. 004, S. 1995 “Ordinance Banning Smoking in Certain Public Places in Aklan Province and Imposing Penalty for Violation Thereof”, as amended by Provincial Ordinance No. 02-005.

Mr. Niven M. Maquirang, Jetty Port Administrator and his staff members are strictly implementing the said provincial ordinance since August 2010, specifically within the premises of the Caticlan/Cagban jetty ports and passenger terminals.

Provincial Ordinance No. 004, S. 1995 strictly banned smoking in hospitals, assembly halls, enclosed and air-conditioned public buildings, school rooms, auditoriums, sports complex, movie houses, and other similar places and establishments except in designated smoking areas of said establishments.

The penalty imposed by said provincial ordinance as provided in Section 2 is a fine of not more than One Hundred Pesos (P100.000) or imprisonment from one to ten days of arresto menor or both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the Court.

Said ordinance was enacted on Oct. 31, 1995 when the vice governor and regular presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was former vice governor and now Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jean O. Rodriguez. The provincial legislative body then was composed of Plaridel M. Morania, Ronquillo C. Tolentino, the late Victorio R. Mabasa, Lou P. Tirol, Alexander S. Sitjar, Romeo P. Inocencio, Apolinario Roldan (representing the PCL) and Rodson F. Mayor (representing the ABC). Other members of the SP at that time were Santiago R. Regalado, Roberto M. Garcia, Jr., and Jean T. Fuentes (representing the SK).

Upon the passage of Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, the penalty imposed, pursuant to Rule LVI Sec. 5 of its implementing rules, against violators of the smoking ban is six months and one day to one year imprisonment, or a fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000).

Hencefore, Provincial Ordinance No. 02-005 introduced by lawyer Estrella M. Briones, then SP member, effectively amended Provincial Ordinance No. 004, S. 1995 adopting penalties imposed by R.A. 8749.

The general public, tourists, commuters and all concerned utilizing the Caticlan/Cagban Jetty Ports and Passenger Terminal in coming to and from Boracay Islands are hereby advised to refrain from smoking. /MP