• Who We Are
  • What We Do
    • Research
    • Technical Support and Capacity Building
    • Communications Support
    • Partnerships
  • Priority Issues
    • Tobacco Taxation
    • Smoke-Free Environment
    • E-cigarette Regulation
    • Tobacco Industry Monitoring
    • NCD Prevention And Control
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • News and Insights
    • Infographics and Fact Sheets
  • Get Involved
    • Connect With Us
    • Join Our Team
Health group lauds Davao City Vices Regulation Unit for strict enforcement of smoking ban
May 12, 2017
President Duterte signs the Smoking Ban Executive Order
May 18, 2017

Health group reminds public schools: Don’t accept ‘Brigada Eskwela’ donations from tobacco industry

Published by hj on May 17, 2017
Categories
  • Press Release
  • Smoke-Free Environment
  • True Progress is Tobacco Free
  • What We Do
Tags

“Under the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular 29, s. 2016, with the subject ‘Prohibition on Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts’, government and state instrumentalities, including public educational institutions, are prohibited from soliciting and accepting any kind of support or donation from the tobacco industry. Principals and teachers are reminded to reject all forms of support extended by the tobacco industry,”

Mary Ann Fernandez-Mendoza, president and trustee of HealthJustice.

 

HealthJustice Philippines, a think tank and advocacy group with legal expertise in tobacco control and health promotion, cautioned the officials of public schools against accepting donations or any kind of support from the tobacco industry.

The reminder came at the heels of the Department of Education’s call for individual volunteers, as well as those from companies, civil society groups and local governments, to participate in the annual “Brigada Eskwela” program and help fix, clean and paint public school classrooms from May 15 to May 20, in time for classes that will begin on June 5.

“Under the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular 29, s. 2016, with the subject ‘Prohibition on Solicitation or Acceptance of Gifts’, government and state instrumentalities, including public educational institutions, are prohibited from soliciting and accepting any kind of support or donation from the tobacco industry. Principals and teachers are reminded to reject all forms of support extended by the tobacco industry,” said Mary Ann Fernandez-Mendoza, president and trustee of HealthJustice.

Fernandez-Mendoza likewise gave credit to the Department of Education (DepEd). “The DepEd has done a great job implementing tobacco control policies. Just last month, the department started training public school teachers on the policy guidelines on comprehensive tobacco control. We trust that the tobacco industry will not be able to take advantage of them at this time when it is most convenient to receive help,” Fernandez-Mendoza pointed out.

The memorandum circular signed by CSC Chairperson Alicia Bala specifically states that “all government officials and employees are advised to avoid soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value, or sponsorship for programs and activities from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office as well as from the tobacco industry.”

“Tobacco industry front groups have corporate social responsibility programs, which they implement by first getting in touch with our civil servants. This is a form of unnecessary interaction that DepEd and CSC aim to protect our bureaucracy from. Moreover, it will also be ironic for schools to receive help from companies producing the very products that put the lives of the youth at risk,” Fernandez-Mendoza added.

HealthJustice is a Bloomberg Awardee for Global Tobacco Control. It is a Programme Partner of the NCD Alliance.

Download this press release.

Photo from post on DepEd Philippines Facebook page.
Share
0

Related posts

January 25, 2023

House bill seeking to hike excise tax on e-cigarettes gains support


Read more
December 8, 2022

Stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise and prevent lung cancer—expert


Read more
May 25, 2022

Exposure to secondhand smoke increases risk of getting lung cancer


Read more

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Youtube
  • A healthy lifestyle is key to a healthy heart

    A healthy lifestyle is key to a healthy heart

    February 23, 2023
  • House bill seeking to hike excise tax on e-cigarettes gains support

    House bill seeking to hike excise tax on e-cigarettes gains support

    January 25, 2023
  • Higher taxes for ‘sin’ goods urged

    Higher taxes for ‘sin’ goods urged

    December 31, 2022
  • Stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise and prevent lung cancer—expert

    Stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise and prevent lung cancer—expert

    December 8, 2022
  • 2021 TOBACCO INDUSTRY<br>INTERFERENCE INDEX

    2021 TOBACCO INDUSTRY<br>INTERFERENCE INDEX

    October 19, 2022
  • Smoking is tied to more aggressive form of prostate cancer–study

    Smoking is tied to more aggressive form of prostate cancer–study

    August 22, 2022

HealthJustice is a public health think tank that aims to bridge the gap between health and law to empower Filipinos to make healthy choices. The founding members of HealthJustice include doctors, lawyers, and economists who have been recognized for their services in both the private and public sector.

Our Partners

  • World Health Organization
  • Department of Health
  • Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance
  • Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
  • Global Center for Good Governance
  • NCD Alliance

Contact Us

  • Room 106-B Philippine Social Science Center Commonwealth Avenue Diliman, Quezon City
  • (+632) 8709 7503
  • info@healthjustice.ph
  • healthjustice.ph@gmail.com

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Youtube

HealthJustice is a public health think tank that aims to bridge the gap between health and law to empower Filipinos to make healthy choices. The founding members of HealthJustice include doctors, lawyers, and economists who have been recognized for their services in both the private and public sector.

Our Partners

  • World Health Organization
  • Department of Health
  • Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance
  • Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
  • Global Center for Good Governance
  • NCD Alliance

Contact Us

  • Room 106-B Philippine Social Science Center
    Commonwealth Avenue Diliman, Quezon City
  • (+632) 8709 7503
  • info@healthjustice.ph
  • healthjustice.ph@gmail.com

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Copyright © | HealthJustice Philippines | All Rights Reserved