ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, Philippines — Committed to promote wellness in the province by adapting the government’s health measures, the provincial government here has enforced a no-smoking zone within the provincial capitol.

This came as Governor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares III, during the No-Smoking campaign held recently, has declared the provincial capitol building as a no-smoking area as part of his government’s program that aims to enhance the health services for his province mates.

Dr. Iluminado Victoria, head of the Provincial Health Office said the initiative of Governor Ynares, who is a doctor and a non-smoker himself, in enforcing a tobacco-free capitol will be re-echoed to the province’s municipalities through the local government units.

During the launching of the No-Smoking campaign held at the fitness room of the Ynares Center in Antipolo, the joint memorandum circular of the Civil Service Commission; Department of Health (DoH); and Department of Interior

and Local Government (DILG) was explained to the employees to enable them to realize that the government is strictly enforcing the ban on  smoking in public places including work places.

At the capitol, no-smoking stickers posted on glass doors of each office serve as a reminder for employees and visitors alike that the prohibition on smoking is strictly enforced.

Ms. Beatriz Leyva, coordinator of the No-Smoking campaign of the capitol said Governor Ynares being a non-smoker, is the best example  and model for all provincial capitol and local government unit employees to emulate.

Leyva said inspite of the many obstacles that she and fellow advocates of the no-smoking campaign of the capitol they will continue to pursue their aim to make the province a smoke-free community.