Quezon City, Philippines- Despite the early morning drizzle close to 3000 runners from various sectors braved the weather and participated in the final leg of the Baguio City to Metro Manila PMA2PMA Smoke Free Philippines and Healthy lifestyle run which started September 18 at the Philippine Military Academy and ended yesterday at the Philippine Medical Association headquarters in Quezon City.
At the closing ceremony of the week long health advocacy run the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), through its President Dr. Oscar D. Tinio, supported by its professional partners the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives (PLGPM), Integrated Philippine Associations of Optometrists (IPAO) awarded Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis N. Tolentino a plaque of recognition declaring him their 2011 Smoke Free Champion for Metro Manila.
“We at the health sector would like to thank you for your unwavering dedication in the fight to keep Metro Manila Smoke Free despite the odds. The Metro Manila wide smoking ban that you have imposed is proof that you have the political will needed to implement what is right for our people. Because of this you have championed the rights of non-smokers to breathe tobacco free air in public places of the metropolis.” Tinio said referring to Tolentino.
For his part Tolentino said “the fight towards the smoking ban (in public places) is not over yet even if the temporary restraining order (TRO) has lapsed. As I speak to you now, tobacco advocates are moving towards a more permanent legal action against the smoking ban in Metro Manila”. “I thanked the Smoke Free Philippines coalition for your support. Let us be more vigilant in our fight to keep Metro Manila Smoke Free” Tolentino added.
Running priest Fr. Robert Reyes was joined by newly appointed Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim and Optical Media Board (OMB) Chairman Ronnie Ricketts in the final leg of this one week event.
“I am supporting your advocacy for a smoke free, clean air and healthy lifestyle. Our beloved President tasked me to work for a cleaner and corruption free Bureau of Customs (BOC) in my new job as its Intelligence chief” Lim explained.
“We are joining your advocacy for a clean and healthy living. Pornography is contradictory towards clean and healthy mind. Most of these “smut” are peddled in our streets through pirated videos. Let us protect the tender minds of our youth against pornography” Ricketts appealed.
The event ended with the signing of, all runners and participants, on a commitment board declaring their resolve for a Smoke Free and Healthy Philippines. Dr. Mike Aragon, Chair Media Affairs, Philippine Medical Association (PMA)
