The Vices Regulation Unit recorded an increase in the number of violator apprehensions in 2023 compared with the previous year.
Based on the VRU data, the total number of apprehensions under the Anti-Smoking Ordinance for 2023 is 8,091, which is higher compared to the 2022 figure of 6,173.
Apprehensions for Liquor Ban also increased from 1,440 in 2022 to 1,647 in 2023.
For the Anti-Smoking citation ticket, the City Treasurer’s Office collected Php7,794,000 in 2023, which is higher than the Php5,736,700 collected in 2022.
For Liquor Ban Ordinance fines, the CTO collected Php3,364,000 in 2023, higher than the Php3,045,000 collected in 2022.
The CTO’s total collection for payment of fines from the citation tickets issued by the VRU and its force multipliers for anti-smoking, liquor ban, sobriety ordinance, certification of fees for designated smoking areas, and permits to sell cigarettes totaled Php 12,116,000 in 2023, higher than the Php 9,144,700 collected in 2022.
Davao Vice Regulation Unit officer-in-charge retired PCol. Hernando Q. Las, in a recent interview with the City Information Office, said that this year, the VRU will continue to conduct apprehensions, with the help of the police, which has also been provided citation tickets for apprehensions.
Las reminded Dabawenyos about the negative effects of smoking on the body. He warned that smoking leads to death.
The penalties for anti-smoking violation are Php 1,000 for the first offense, Php 2,000 for the second offense, and Php 5,000 and imprisonment, according to the discretion of the court, for the third offense.
For Liquor Ban violation, the penalty is Php 3,000 for the first offense, Php 5,000 for the second offense, and Php 5,000 plus imprisonment, according to the discretion of the court, for the third offense. CIO
