AC backs smoke-free NV drive

Nueva Vizcaya (NV), famed by its Clean and Green campaign having garnered national citations in this feat, will now truly become the haven of clean and fresh air lovers!

The provincial government of NV with the leadership of Hon. Governor Luisa Lloren Cuaresma launched the Smoke-Free Ordinance during a program held at the People’s Stage, Provincial Capitol, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya last November 8.

To ensure the implementation of this ordinance, Gov. Cuaresma had the ceremonial signing of the Pledge of Commitment followed by stakeholders like the Philippine National Police, Local Government Units, National Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Business Organizations and Academic Institutions like Aldersgate College represented by the Supreme Student Council President Rheanel M. Esquejo and her council.

“Rest assured that this law will not exempt or excuse any offender even me and Vice Governor Jose Gambito”, Cuaresma said. Atty. Eduardo C. Balgos, former Board Member of the province, read the overview of the ordinance followed by the presentation of the Members of the NV Smoke-Free council by Mr. Manuel N. Tabora, Assisstant Provincial Budget Officer and Acting Provincial Administrator.

In the absence of the National Professional Officer of the World Health Organization, Dr. John Juliard Go, the keynote speaker, Dr. Maria Soledad Antonio, representative from the Philippine Nurses Association, hailed the province for being the first province to have a smoke free ordinance. “Launching pa lang, kitang-kita na ang inyong pagsuporta sa ordinansa, sana hindi kayo magsasawa.”Antonio added.

The said partakers roved around the towns of Solano and Bayombong to show support to the ordinance.

Meanwhile a Press Conference was held at the Provincial Capitol function hall wherein editors-in-chief and news editors from different schools joined. Esquejo together with her council and Fernando B. Pili, Jr (EIC of the College Paragon) joined the press conference. It was also graced by press people like Mr. Charles Lagasca (Philippine Star); Mr. James Baculin (DWRV); Mr. Joe Dazig (DZRH) among others.

In the afternoon, the planning workshop of the NV Smoke-Free council took place wherein Dr. Divina Gracia Apolonio, AC High School principal took part.#