President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed Republic Act 9211, also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, an act that would protect the populace from the negative effects of cigarette smoking by regulating the packaging, use, sale, distribution and advertisements of tobacco products in the country.

The President signed the new law in a ceremony held at Malacaņang’s Ceremonial Hall this morning, in response to the international requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in regulating the use of tobacco products.

With the signing of the new law, the Philippines set a historical precedent as the first country in the world to comply with the immediate call of WHO to regulate the use, sale and advertisements of nicotine products.

Among those who witnessed the signing of R.A. No. 9211 were Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Flavier, Senior House Deputy Speaker Raul Gonzales, and Representatives Harry Angping of Manila, Magtanggol Gunigundo Jr. of the 2^nd District of Valenzuela and Eric Singson of the 2^nd District of Ilocos Sur.

The signing of the new law coincided with the birthday of Sen. Flavier, the main author of the bill.

Under the new law, the state will now strictly implement the smoking ban in all public places, to include the following:

• Centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels and recreational facilities for persons under 18 years old;

• Elevators and stairwells;

• Location in which fire hazards are present, including gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosive or combustible materials;

• Within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals, medical, dental, and optical clinics, health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries and laboratories;

• Public conveyances and public facilities including airport and ship terminals and train and bus stations, restaurants and conference halls, except for separate smoking areas; and

• Food preparation areas.

The law requires government offices to post "No Smoking" signs in places open to the public.

The law also provides minimum age requirements for the sale and purchase of tobacco and limits the sale and advertisement of tobacco within 100 meters from the perimeter of any educational institutions, i.e. schools, universities and colleges.

R.A. 9211 law also calls for a ban on tobacco advertisements on television and radio starting January 1, 2007 and absolute ban on tobacco ads on cinema and outdoor advertising to take effect on July 1, 2007.

It also requires tobacco companies to include health warnings on the front panel of all packages of tobacco products effective July 1, 2006.

Effective July 1, 2008, the law also strictly prohibits sponsorships by the tobacco companies of sports, cultural or educational programs.

The law also requires the government to create an inter-agency body on tobacco to be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry to administer and implement the law.

It also imposes stiff penalties for violators – from P500 to P400,000 and imprisonment of 30 days to three years, including administrative sanctions.

The new law also mandates the Department of Education to conduct an information campaign and include in the school curricula the hazards of tobacco use and tasked the House of Representatives to create a Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the implementation of R.A. 9211.

Meanwhile, Chris Nelson, managing director of Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc., a leading global tobacco manufacturer, welcomes and vows to support the regulation imposed under the new law.

"Regulation offers a long-term solution to tobacco issues that can benefit the public health objectives and our business goals. It also enables us to pursue the goal of growing our cigarette business in an environment where anyone abides by the same rules and in a way that addresses societies concerns," Nelson said in a statement.

Nelson said the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 captured the four key principles of Philip Morris Inc. in supporting a strong and effective regulatory framework:

• smoking-related decisions should be made on the basis of consistent public health messages;

• effective measures should be taken to prevent minors from smoking;

• the right of adults to choose smoke should be preserved; and

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the government would respond with a policy of calibrated reciprocation with regard to the peace overtures of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, taking note of credible revelations of the rebel group’s links with transnational terrorist groups.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Muelle del Rio Linear Park along the Pasig River in Intramuros, the President said the new policy is intended to check terrorist intrusions and make sure civilian communities are not put in harm’s way.

"Now is the time for the MILF to cut clean by deed from terrorists, purge its armories of terrorist weapons and engage in any peace talk shorn of deception," she said.

In her speech, the President took note of the fact that the MILF peace overtures came hand in hand with the discovery of deadly explosives in an MILF area and amid credible revelations of MILF links with terrorist groups.

"The links between transnational and local terrorist groups have been well established. We are working with our allies on common strategies that will help us deal with the threat in a more comprehensive manner, even as we pursue our policy of peace, security and development in Mindanao," she added.

The President said she had instructed the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security (COCIS) to submit recommendations to further stabilize the situation on the ground, provide for speedy repatriation of evacuees and fast track negotiation towards a lasting peace in Mindanao.

"Sana maranasan na rin ng Mindanao ang kapayapaan, seguridad at kaunlaran na nararamdaman ng mga Manilenyo sa ilalim ng liderato ni Mayor Lito Atienza," she said.

The Muelle del Rio Linear Park is a Pasig River promenade project that stretches from the Philippine-Mexican Friendship Plaza beside the Bureau of Immigration building up to the rear of the Post Office building.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today called on all political leaders at all levels to speak out and act against drug lords, saying, "Our own apathy and indifference can only feed and nurture this monster."

Speaking at the inauguration of the Muelle del Rio Linear Park project along the Pasig River in Intramuros, the President said the bane of narco-politics lies at the root of the country’s national security problems.

"For as long as there are elected officials who engage in the drug trade, aided and abetted by others in government, we will never decisively beat, defeat this menace," she said.

In her speech, the President said that since the drug trade tends to enforce a veil of silence in the community, the government needs strong leaders and advocates mustering vigilant and committed communities.

"Every citizen must be responsible for the health and well-being of his or her fellow human beings," she said.

The President thanked Manila Mayor Lito Atienza for hosting the Bata Iwas Droga project of the administration recently at the Quirino Grandstand.

"Sana ang ibang punong bayan ay magkaroon din ng suporta gaya ng suporta ng mga Manilenyo kay Mayor Atienza (I hope all local executives will have the support that Mayor Atienza has)," she said to the applause of the gallery at the promenade park, the biggest of the 15 linear parks under the Pasig River Rehabilitation Project of the Pasig River Commission in coordination with the national government and the City of Manila.

The President also expressed her sympathies with the family of assassinated Tayug, Pangasinan Mayor Guerrero Zaragosa and his companions, saying the government will leave no stone unturned in the conduct of the investigation and in hunting down the perpetrators.

Even while in Manila inaugurating yet another of the development projects in the Metropolis, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s sights are still trained on far-away Mindanao.

"Sana maranasan na rin ng Mindanao ang kapayapaan, seguridad at kaunlaran na nararamdaman ng mga Manilenyo," intoned the President as she formally opened the Muelle del Rio Linear Park along the Pasig River in Intramuros today.

Noting how Manilenos have supported Mayor Lito Atienza in his pursuit of peace and progress for his constituents, the President said her administration is now working with its allies on common strategies "that will help us deal with the (terrorist) threat in a more comprehensive manner, even as we pursue our policy of peace, security and development in Mindanao."

"Our will for peace is only matched by our will to defeat terrorism," she stressed, adding that the links between transnational and terrorist groups have been well established.

The President, who grew up in San Juan but spent her childhood years in Mindanao, thanked Atienza for his efforts in giving the people of Manila a city that they deserve.

"Sana ang ibang punong-bayan ay magkaroon din ng suporta gaya ng suporta nila kay Mayor Atienza," she said.

The Muelle del Rio Linear Park project is part of the national government’s master plan for the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program under the Pasig River Commission and includes the establishment of about 15 linear parks on both the north and south banks of the river.

Previously the site of arrastre operations, the area had a dingy appearance and was jammed daily with trucks and trailers loading and unloading cargo from barges moored at the north bank of the Pasig River.

Today, it resembles the appearance of promenade areas and parks in other countries, particularly Clark Quay and Boat Quay in Singapore, which are popular tourist recreation and shopping destinations.

Atienza thanked the President for providing funding for the construction of Muello del Rio, pointing out that it was a national government project with the City of Manila tasked to implement it.

He revealed that bridges spanning the Pasig River within the territorial boundaries of Manila such as Del Pan, Jones, MacArthur, Quezon, Ayala,Nagtahan and Lambingan bridges would be brightened up with tastefully designed streetlights atop the spans and colored monument lights on the underbellies of the structures.

He said that experience has shown that areas near bodies of water, once developed and improved, attract people, citing the redevelopment of the Roxas Boulevard seawall, now more popularly known as the Baywalk, as an example.

Malacaņang today said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seriously considering the proposal of Senator Robert Barbers to appoint former Manila Mayor and retired police general Alfredo Lim as presidential adviser on anti-drugs campaign.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio "Toting" Bunye said Senator Barbers met the President right after the signing of Republic Act 9211, known as Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, earlier this morning in Malacaņang, and discussed some of his proposals on how to intensify the government’s anti-drug campaign.

During the meeting, Bunye said, Senator Barbers proposed to the President the appointment of Lim and the President expressed her appreciation on that matter.

"I believe so. The President believes that we could benefit from the experience of former Secretary Lim," Bunye said when asked if the President had accepted Barbers’ recommendation.

As former mayor of Manila and retired police general, Lim is well known for his hardline stance against drug trafficking.

Lim was also the director of the National Bureau of Investigation during the Aquino administration and Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government during the Estrada administration.

Bunye also said that Barbers has an oversight authority, which means he has the power to review the conduct of a certain agency, and at the same time, play the role of an adviser.

He also said that Malacaņang welcomes the challenge of Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla to have Cabinet secretaries and other palace officials undergo drug tests.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today urged garment exporters to focus on strengthening the manufacturing industry in the country and give priority to the Filipino buyers public before exporting their products to other countries.

The President made the call during a meeting with the officers and members of the Confederation of Garments Exporters of the Philippines led by their chairman, Donald Dee, and their president, George Siy, at the State Dining Room in Malacaņang this afternoon.

The President said it is important to concentrate first on the Philippine public before the garment industry should focus on free trade negotiations.

Dee informed the President of the necessity to send a Philippine delegation to the United States to further push free trade negotiations and to seek approval of the grant of quota concession similar to what the US granted Vietnam.

The President reiterated that it is the Philippine public that should be given priority by the garments manufacturers, adding that the matter of export quota could be referred to the Philippine Caucus.

The Caucus is a network of members in the US Congress who are interested in the Philippines and who are concerned about US-Philippine bilateral relations.

"We need to win the battle in the Philippines… We have the Philippine Caucus there who could attend to the matter," she said.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II, who was present during the meeting, explained that the grant by the US to Vietnam of their quota concession is a positive development since this would mean that the US may no longer impose restrictions on the importation of garments from the Philippines in the future.