Urging his constituents “to keep a healthy heart and lungs” every Valentine’s Day, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Monday called on Manileños to follow his example and quit smoking for good.
Estrada, a former President, also conveyed his support to the proposed nationwide smoking ban of President Rodrigo Duterte, saying it is now time to enforce an anti-smoking policy owing to increasing cases of tobacco-related diseases among Filipinos.
The mayor said it has been “his fervent prayer,” as the father of the city, that all 1.7 million Manileños remain fit and healthy—the principal reason he has been implementing a wide array of health programs and services in the city since he assumed office in 2013.
“Love your heart, quit smoking. This is my Valentine’s (Day) wish for everyone, for every Manileño,” Estrada said in time for the observance of National Heart Month this February, as provided under Proclamation No. 1096 signed on Jan. 9, 1973.
“For the sake of your family and loved ones, stop smoking. It won’t do you any good,” he added.
The mayor has directed the strict implementation of City Ordinance No. 7748, which prohibits smoking in all enclosed areas like hospitals, schools, public buildings, shopping malls, and other public places in the city.
City Hall employees can only smoke in three designated areas: at the Arroceros, Taft Avenue, and Freedom Triangle gates, he added.
“We will start here at the City Hall. I enjoin everyone, from rank-and-file employees to department heads and even city councilors, to comply with this anti-smoking ordinance. We will be very strict,” Estrada warned.
Estrada, already 79 years old, has kicked the habit after he was briefly hospitalized last December owing to asthma attacks. He said he has started chewing sugar-free medicated lozenges instead of smoking after being discharged from the hospital.
The mayor invited Manileños to attend the city government’s grand Valentine’s Day event today, dubbed “Baywalk Manila: A Night to Remember” along the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk fronting Raja Sulayman Park.
“This is a modest gift from my administration to the citizens of Manila, especially to the lovers out there. I want, during this Valentine’s Day, that we must love each other more, and to spread more our loving one another,” Estrada said.
The event starts at 4 p.m. with the Manila City Hall band playing its repertoire, as well as cultural performances from the different schools in the city.
Among the highlights are a special love drama skit, simultaneous releasing of 1,000 balloons, each bearing a Manileño’s love message to their loved ones; and a Valentine’s dance for 1,000 pairs of lovers.
The highlight of the program is the launch of a video entitled “Manila Water Bucket Challenge” featuring the challenge-invitation from the Rowers’ Club of the Philippines to the public to pour over their heads a bucket of water fetched from Manila Bay—which is noted for its pollution.