DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, (upper left) graced the ceremony with SWP Co-convener Jessica Reyes-Cantos. The event, broadcasted in the DepEd and PSFM Facebook pages, was witnessed by the youth and grassroot communities representatives.
Along with the celebration of 34th World No Tobacco Day, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines administration and the Social Watch Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement signifying the PUP as the first Tobacco-Free University and Schools (TOFUS) worldwide with the first localized approach on Smoke-Free campaigns and patterned on WHO-Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
TOFUS will now be implemented in all branches and campuses of PUP along with Local Government Units and nearby Barangays, as it aims to strengthen the 100-meter radius from any point of perimeter of a school/university/college, in line with the Sec.1, Rule V of the IRR of the Republic Act 9211 and to ensure the compliance with EO 26 or the Nationwide Smoking Ban Order
The whole PUP community with the leadership of University President Dr. Manuel Muhi alongside the civil youth- and student-leaders celebrate this momentous and historical event as the university joins the international community in the campaign for Tobacco-Free.
“Nagpupugay ang buong Pamantasan sa Tobacco Free University status na ginagawad ngayon. Naniniwala kami na sa pamamagitan ng kampanyang ito, mababawasan ang mga naninigarilyo hindi lamang sa mga estudyante ng PUP, pati na rin sa kalapit na komunidad. Unang hakbang pa lamang ito sa pagkakamit natin ng Smoke-Free generation”, said by University President Dr. Manuel Muhi as he signs the MOA declaring PUP as a Tobacco-Free campus in the country.
The Memorandum covers salient points from the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Republic Act 9211, EO 26, Clean Air Act of 1999 and Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 in pursuit of Smoke-Free generation.
The parties also agree to establish the students’ committee for Brigade Against Tobacco Smoking and Selling (BATSS) to ensure active participation of the students as watchdog and partner of the university in the sustainability of the TOFUS status
“We are grateful to PUP for pioneering an all stake-holders participation and approach to achieve a Smoke-Free university. We also recognize the university’s contribution especially the student councils lead by PUP SPEAK in tobacco control campaigns such as the Tax Tobacco To the Max and the passage of Universal Health Care law, and lastly we want to deliver our utmost appreciation to the PUP administration for being supportive and being part of the crusade for a smoke-free future”, expressed by Dr. Marivic Raquiza, Co-convener of Social Watch Philippines as she lauds the efforts of the PUP community for pioneering various health campaigns.
In its commitment to provide its academic institution and nearby communities the highest standard of health, PUP will also provide: a) WHO FCTC Fora, Seminar and/or roundtable discussions; b) Orientation on Occupational Safety and Health; c) Smoke Health Warnings/Publicity Materials for one-year coverage prior to assumption of work/program implementation. Both parties also agreed to finish drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations for a period of one (1) month. “As part of the student-sector, we believe that the realization and effort of this campaign lies in the collective response of the youth, being the most vulnerable sector in tobacco-smoking. Now is the time for us to act, participate and rally for this cause, now is the time for us to COMMIT TO QUIT! Para sa isang malusog, ligtas at Smoke-Free na kinabukasan,” stressed PUP Central Student Council President Jonero Dacula.
