A total of 265 individuals were apprehended by the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) for violating the city’s anti-smoking ordinance during the Dinagyang Festival, underscoring intensified enforcement amid large public gatherings.
ICAST head Iñigo Garingalao said 73 violators were caught on January 24 and 25, the festival’s peak days, while 192 others were apprehended in the week leading up to the celebration.
Among those cited were three foreign nationals, while records showed that nearly half of the violators were visitors, with the rest composed of Iloilo residents.
ICAST also flagged three business establishments for non-compliance with the anti-smoking ordinance, including failure to enforce no-smoking rules within their premises.
Garingalao said enforcement teams were deployed to protect public health during the festivities, stressing that the ordinance remains in full force even during major celebrations.
City authorities reiterated that the anti-smoking law is strictly enforced year-round, especially during high-density events such as Dinagyang, to ensure a safe and smoke-free environment for the public.IMT
