THE Bacolod City Anti-Smoking Task Force (BASTF)-Action Team apprehended 465 persons and 81 business establishments in various areas from September 4 to October 31.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, co-chairman of the task force, said Monday, November 20, most violators were caught smoking in public places like the plaza and downtown areas.
The establishments were fined for allowing their customers to smoke outside the c.
Distrito said that in October alone, the task force apprehended a total of 188 persons and 26 business establishments during the period of the MassKara Festival.
He added that he will coordinate with the City Treasurer’s Office to determine which among the violators have paid or have not paid the fines.
Individual violators are fined P500 for first offense; P1,000 for second offense; and P2,500 for third offense.
Business establishment owners are fined for allowing their costumers to smoke in non-designated smoking areas. They are fined P3,000 for first offense; P4,000 for second offense; and P5,000 and possible closure, for third offense.
Distrito said they issued demand letters to the violators who failed to pay penalties through their respective villages.
He added that the violators were given five days to respond and if they fail to pay or render community service, charges will be filed against them.
The task force will also submit the names of the individual violators, who fail to pay, to the Bacolod City Police Office and the National Bureau of Investigation.
When they secure a clearance, their violations will appear and they will be required to pay the fine before they can obtain a clearance, Distrito said.
The councilor added that business establishment owners who fail to pay should settle their penalties before they can renew their business permits,
“We will forward their names to the Permits and Licensing Division. Unless they pay the penalty, we will not renew their permit,” Distrito said.
