THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved a resolution urging all local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to adopt Geographical Information System (GIS) technology for regulating business permits and licenses related to the sale of tobacco and electronic smoking products.
The initiative aims to ensure compliance with existing laws prohibiting the sale of the products within a 100-meter radius of schools, public playgrounds, and other youth-centric facilities under Republic Act 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003) and Republic Act 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said in a statement on Monday.
Chairman Romando S. Artes said the initiative will support LGUs’ under the Smoke-Free Project to strictly enforce vape and tobacco control policies by crafting respective local laws.
“Ordinances to be enacted by the LGUs must include provisions prohibiting ambulant or mobile vendors of cigarettes and electronic smoking products, as these vendors are capable of circumventing laws prohibiting the sale of such products within prohibited areas,” he added.
The use of GIS technology will provide an accurate and efficient means for LGUs to guarantee the locations are verified before issuing business permits and licenses.
NCR LGUs are also enjoined in enacting rules on the display of signage prohibiting the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes within the prohibited distance.
The signage will include graphic health warning illustrations and legal citations.
Local governments use GIS information as a tool to guide the issuance and renewal of business permits and licenses, ensuring compliance with existing laws and ordinances.
The MMC, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana