NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley – Smoking anywhere near pregnant women and children is now banned in this province and carries stiff penalties under a new code approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board).

The provision is contained in the 58-page Children’s Code of Compostela Valley (ComVal) which was approved recently to uphold the rights of children to the protection of their health even during the prenatal period.

“This (no smoking near pregnant women and children) is one of the unique provisions in our province. We recognize the right of the child even when it is still in the womb of its mother,” Board Member Carmen Zamora-Apsay told reporters at the Provincial Capitol last Monday.

Violation tickets will be issued as a warning to first-time offenders. However, the second offense carries a fine of P5,000 and a third offense, qualifies the smoker to jail time.

Apsay, along with Board Member Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, penned the code, following a speech delivered last October by Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy on the United Nations’ (UN’s) “State of the Children Report.”

Apsay said the provincial legislation is coming up with a vernacular version of the code to ensure that it is understood and practiced by the public.

“Although our children’s code is influenced by the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), CHR (Commission on Human Rights) and measures from other provinces, we made certain provisions that are found only here because we do not just want a duplicate of the existing laws,” she said.