‘Smoke-free’ schools recognized

BAUANG, La Union, Philippines — The regional offices of the departments of education and health in Region I recognized two public schools here last week for being “smoke-free” and for strictly implementing the anti-smoking ordinance.

The Eulogio Clarence De Guzman Jr. Memorial National Vocational High School bagged first place in the secondary level while the Payopoc Elementary School got third place in the elementary level for the “best implementers” of the 100 percent Smoke-Free Schools category.

“These schools have properly complied, implemented and adopted ordinances against smoking for minors, particularly in their campuses, to emphasize the ill-effects of the vice and promote a healthy life,” said Mayor Martin De Guzman.

Aside from the two schools, Bauang town is also a consistent Red Orchid Awardee of the Department of Health for the last three years for the “best implementers” of a 100 percent Smoke-Free municipal category.

Jovita Bascos, the memorial high school’s principal, said that 18 student-smokers have quit smoking since they launched the anti-smoking campaign in 2013.

Also awarded in the secondary level were Paoay Lake National High School in Ilocos Norte, the Regional Science High School in Bangar, La Union, Castor Z. Concepcion National High School in Balaoan, La Union, and Anonas National High School in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

The contest was participated in by 75 schools from 15 divisions in Region 1.

 In the Elementary level, the Hilario Valdez Memorial Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte landed in first place while the Alcala Central School in Alcala, Pangasinan was in second place. The San Juan Elementary School in San Juan, La Union was fourth placer, and Dona Josefina E. Marcos Elementary School in Currimao, Ilocos Norte was in fifth place.

DepEd-La Union is the Best Implementer in the division level while the division of Pangasinan II bagged second place. The divisions of Ilocos Norte, Urdaneta City and Alaminos City were in third, fourth and fifth places, respectively.

 DepEd regional director Teresita Velasco and Francisco De Vera Jr of DOH Region I presented the awards.