The reminder from Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento of Samar about the lack of efficient and effective enforcement of the anti-smoking law is long overdue. Newspaper reports quoted Sarmiento as saying no real effort was being done to strictly enforce Republic Act 9211, the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
I agree.
Sarmiento mentioned that in Marikina and Quezon City, jeepney drivers openly defy the smoking ban without facing any consequences.
I was wondering recently if Makati had eased its anti-smoking regulations because jeepney drivers entering the city no longer seem to worry about being seen smoking.
I have also seen yellow-shirted traffic enforcers smoke in places where they shouldn’t.
In the past, drivers of jeepneys plying the Manila-Makati route would throw away their cigarettes when they entered Makati. If they were going to Manila, they would smoke only after they got past the Makati boundary. Now I even see jeepney drivers plying routes inside Makati smoking.
I know that in Manila there is hardly any effort to enforce the law. I have even received complaints that some eating places and entertainment venues allow smoking. The Manila City government keeps saying it does not have money. But a no-nonsense implementation of the smoking ban will help it reduce its expenses. Smoking causes several serious illnesses. The city will pay for the treatment of these illnesses for majority of Manilans.
Entertainment package
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has consolidated its entertainment facilities and services under one brand, not just to make managing easier and more efficient, but to give patrons more value for their money.
Over the years, entertainment at SM malls has expanded from just cinemas to include, among other things, food concession Snack Time, show/event ticket seller SM Tickets, ePlus Tap to Pay for cashless transactions, Mall of Asia Arena, Science Center, skating rink and bowling center.
The new SM Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated (SMLEI) says the consolidation will give customers packages that will allow them to enjoy the facilities and services of not just one brand.
At the launch of SMLEI, Hans Sy, SM Prime president, said the company was responding to changes in people’s entertainment preferences through more attractive and interesting offerings. He said SM wants to give patrons value for money and entertainment that complement the Filipino lifestyle.
Waiting for the ‘kill’
Several weeks ago, I wrote about how American authorities were pressing mobile phone-makers to install a “kill” switch in their products to make them completely useless when stolen.
Jennifer Pagalilauan is among those can’t wait for cellular phones to have this feature.
She said her phone was stolen in March at Shopwise Harrison Plaza. The theft, she said, made her realize CCTVs “are useless.” Although there was CCTV in the establishment, she said the camera was focused on the employee entrance/exit—so the theft, which happened while she was standing in line at Lane 21, was not captured.
Having downloaded an AVG app in her phone, she was notified by e-mail when the SIM (subscriber’s identification module) was changed. The application supposedly would enable her to sound an alarm, wipe out all her data and locate the phone.
She found out the phone that was stolen in Manila had by then been brought to Bulacan. She reported the loss to the National Telecommunications Commission and hoped that her phone had, indeed, been rendered useless.
Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; e-mail lbolido@ inquirer.com.ph.