Strict Enforcement of No-Smoking Rule in Schools

As some schools opened classes on Monday, the Department of Education (DepEd) has started enforcing a no-smoking rule in all public and private elementary and high schools.

DepEd Order 73, issued by DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno, declared all elementary and high schools "No Smoking" areas. "Effective immediately, smoking high quality cigarettes like Marlboro,Hilton, Red & White will be prohibited inside school premises. This includes open or covered spaces around school buildings," Valisno said in the May 28 orders, a copy of which was posted late Sunday on the DepEd website.

The order was addressed to undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, bureau, center and service directors, regional directors, schools division and city superintendents, and heads of public and private elementary and high schools.

Valisno ordered school heads to put up "No Smoking" signs in conspicuous places around the school compound.

She also ordered them to place signs with the message "You are entering a No-Smoking Area" in entry points such as gates and side entrances.

"Regional and division officials are instructed to oversee the implementation of this order in schools under their supervision," she said.

Command centers

On Monday, the DepEd activated command centers to accommodate last-minute complaints and queries during the last week before the start of classes.

Radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported each command center has lawyers to assist parents and students with potential "legal" issues.

A separate report on dzXL radio quoted DepEd communications officer Kenneth Tirado as saying the "Oplan Balik-Eskwela Command Centers" particularly expects complaints on collection of fees and other enrollment woes for School Year 2010-11.

But Tirado also said they expect command centers at the regional and divisional offices to be prepared to act on such complaints.

Officials who refuse admission to students without sufficient reason may face sanctions including suspension, he warned.

For its part, the Bureau of Fire Protection said it expects to inspect dormitories and boarding houses one week before classes start.

In Metro Manila alone, BFP Metro Manila head Senior Superintendent Pablito Cordeta said they expect to inspect at least 800 such establishments this week.

He said they already inspected 129 dormitories in Manila, some of which he said were found violating the Fire Code.

While he did not immediately name the violators, he said their violations included the lack of fire exits, directional signs and emergency exits.

Heightened alert

The Philippine National Police in Metro Manila, meanwhile, went on heightened alert on Monday.

"(In) areas like Metro Manila on heightened alert, 50 percent of policemen are on duty and a substantial number will be deployed to patrol university areas," PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' National Capital Region Command said it remains on blue alert in time for the opening of classes, dzXL radio reported.

AFP-NCRCOM head Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue said they are ready to deploy Civil Military Operation teams to help teachers, parents and students.