The newly installed acting head of the Vice Regulation Unit (VRU) is considering a more strengthened drive against vaping through information drive in schools.
PTCOL Jacy Jay B. Francia (Ret.) told Madayaw on Monday said that they will strengthen the collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), which is already part of the Vices Task Force to conduct symposiums intended for students.
“Ang sa vape man gud na observe nato nga estudyante kasagaran nagagamit og vape. Ang akong intervention ana kay we will conduct symposiums sa schools and we will tap speakers from City Health Office (As we have observed, most of the users of vape are students. Our intervention will be the conduct of symposiums in schools and we will tap speakers from the City Health Office),” Francia said, adding that they will collaborate with the DepEd to ensure the smooth implementation of the information drive.
Francia said that they will also intensify apprehension of users caught vaping in public.
Under the Amended Smoking Ordinance or Ordinance No. 0472-24 Series of 2024, those vaping within prohibited areas may face the penalty of Php 3,000 for the first offense.
He said that their office, aside from targeting the youth in the info-drive on vape, is also analyzing data on the citation tickets and checking the age of those apprehended for using vape in prohibited areas.
Francia said that he is poised to emphasize public awareness on the Amended Smoking Ordinance and the Liquor Code of Davao City, which includes the liquor ban and sobriety.
He seeks to expand the information drive in the barangay level , in partnership with the Barangay Cultural Communities Affairs Division. CIO
