By law, NAIA should be 100% smoke-free indoors (part 2)

In response to my letter, the Civil Service Commission called the attention of the Manila International Airport Authority, and the MIAA general manager in turn responded with his own letter (copied in full below; see also JPG image below).

I wonder where the GM got his copy of MC 17, s. 2009, because the clause he quoted ("prohibition shall not apply to those areas which have been designated as smoking areas with sufficient ventilation and available exhaust fans.") does not exist anywhere in CSC MC 17. For reference and to compare with a pdf copy of the CSC MC 17 s. 2009 as signed by CSC Chairman Saludo, please click here: http://excell.csc.gov.ph/MC2009/mc17s2009.pdf

Unfortunately, I did not have time to respond to the MIAA at that time.  Next: Part 3.

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10 May 2012

DIR. MA. LUISA SALONGA-AGAMATA, Ph.D., CESO V

Director lV

Civil Service Commission

CSC Building, IBP Road

Constitution Hills, Quezon City

Dear Director Salonga-Agamata :

This pertains to your 23 April 2012, a copy of which we received on 27 April 2012, concerning the observations of Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo on the smoking room at the Ninoy Aquino lnternational Airport (NAIA) departure area.

At the outset, we wish to thank Dr. Dorotheo for putting forth his observations and bringing the matter to our attention. Rest assured that the Authority is ever mindful of its obligations under the law, including those pertaining to the prohibition on smoking in government offices and buildings.

Accordingly, we have strictly imposed a ban on smoking in our Administration Building, posted visible "no smoking" signs in strategic areas and properly designated smoking areas in the different NAIA terminals. ln this regard, we take due note of the provision contained in CSC Memorandum Circular No. 17, s. 2009, which states that the "prohibition shall not apply to those areas which have been designated as smoking areas with sufficient ventilation and available exhaust fans."

Nevertheless, we have taken appropriate action on the matter by continually and closely monitoring the facilities of the designated smoking areas in order to ensure that proper ventilation and exhaust systems are in place and in working condition. While Dr. Dorotheo did not cite the specific terminal concerned, we have called the attention of all concessionaires operating smoking areas or lounges in all NAIA terminals.

ln closing, we wish to assure the Commission, Dr. Dorotheo and the rest of the traveling public that the Authority shall continue to strictly observe the provisions of all pertinent anti-smoking laws and issuances.

Yours,

MGEN JOSE ANGEL A. HONRADO AFP (Ret)

General Manager