LGU Spotlights
Koronadal City: Policy Powered by Political Will
In 2017, the City of Koronadal, under the leadership of Hon. Annabelle G. Pingoy, enacted the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance. Eight years later, on her final term as City Councilor before assuming her new role as Board Member of the Province of South Cotabato, she once again championed public health by spearheading the passage of a new smoke-free ordinance fully aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This achievement reflects how strong political will and a genuine commitment to safeguard the health of constituents can drive lasting policy change. Kudos to the City Government of Koronadal for paving the way toward a healthier, smoke-free future for generations of Koronadaleños. Notably, in September 2024, DISH conducted a training on the WHO FCTC, which Councilor Pingoy attended.
The Baguio City Experience: A whole-of-government and society approach
Based on the experience of Baguio City, one key factor that contributed to the successful implementation of the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance was the adoption of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. The Smoke-Free Program engaged not only the offices explicitly identified in the ordinance but also other government agencies with relevant mandates or significant roles in public health and safety. Agencies such as the Department of Tourism, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority were consulted and actively involved in both the planning and implementation phases. Their expertise and direct connection with their respective client sectors helped boost compliance and foster greater community engagement. By informing these agencies of their specific roles under CSC–DOH Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-01, the city was able to expand its network of allies for smoke-free advocacy and unite diverse sectors under the shared goal of protecting the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. For more information on Baguio City’s smoke-free initiatives and success stories, you may contact Transcend (Transcending Institutions and Communities Inc., TICI).