The newly-organized Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) that sought to enforce anti-smoking, liquor ban and selling of liquor to minors will focus its efforts in the barangays.
Speaking as the mayor’s representative and head of the anti-smoking task force for the VRU, retired Capt. Voltaire Engracia said barangays in the rural areas are more prone to violations of the law.
“Even with the existence of the ordinance for more than 20 years, we still need to further strengthen our information drive with regard to the ordinance,” Engracia said on Thurdsay during the iSpeak Conference.
Engracia also called for the coordination of the barangay officials and barangay tanods for the effective implementation of the unit. He said that the barangay should not depend solely on the police and they should be responsible enough to follow the law.
Furthermore, Engracia revealed his action plan as the head of the anti-smoking task force which includes information and education campaign to the barangays by means of conducting lectures stressing the content of the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance No. 0367-12.
It can be recalled that on Tuesday, March 21, Mayor Sara Duterte announced that she will issue an Executive Order that will mobilize the Vices Regulation Unit that will look into violations on anti-smoking, liquor ban and selling liquor to minors which will come out on April 3, after her maternity leave.
