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For the second consecutive year, the CSC-Regional Office 1 hasgarnered anew the Red Orchid Award for successfully implementing theguidelines set by CSC Memorandum Circular No. 17, s. 2009 and ensuring a100% Tobacco-Free environment. The award was conferred to the CSC-RO1during the 2012 Red Orchid Awards Ceremonies held on May 29, 2012 at the

Philippine Trade and Training Center in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The CSC MC No. 17, s. 2009 or the Smoking Prohibition based on100% Smoke Free Environment Policy is designed to promote safe andhealthy government offices and their premises and to protect non-smokersfrom secondhand smoke which can cause life-threatening diseases. The saidpolicy enjoins the heads of government agencies to designate animplementation committee to ensure that the following strategies areenforced: raising the awareness of employees; conduct of survey on thesmoking prevalence among employees; posting of No Smoking and/orSmoking Area signages in conspicuous places; and compliance monitoring,

reporting of violations, investigation and acting on decisions.

For its part, the CSC-RO1 has effectively employed a number of relatedpolicies to realize the objectives of MC 17. Having a zero number of smoker/sin its roster, the Office also imposes for its clients a No-Smoking policy in theoffice and its premises, including the parking spaces. No Smoking signagesare also posted in conspicuous places. To intensify its information campaign,a No Smoking Corner has been institutionalized to provide relatedinformation materials such as leaflets, flyers and small posters. During in-house trainings and seminars, the organizers (personnel from the HumanResource Division) allot 15-minute for a talk/orientation on the said policy.

For the interested trainees, they may also request for copies (hard andelectronic) of the information materials for dissemination/distribution in theirrespective agencies.

CSC-RO1 has also established linkages with other agencies tostrengthen its advocacy against smoking. The Office has partnered with theDepartment of Health-CHD 1 in the conduct of a series of orientation seminaron the RACE towards a Smoke-Free Civil Service. In fact, two (2) of suchhave been conducted: one on March 11, 2012 at CSC-RO1 Training Centerand the other was on May 25, 2012 at Maxs Restaurant, both venues in SanFernando City, La Union. It was participated by more than 60 officials and

employees from 24 government offices. The Office had also joined a FunRun/Walk activity organized by the Department of Education-RO1 incelebration of the 2012 World No Tobacco Day. During the 111 th PhilippineCivil Anniversary in 2011, the Office, itself, organized a Fun Run themedTakbo ng Kawani Laban sa Yosi, participated in by almost 300 officials andemployees from more than 40 government offices/agencies in the region.The Office has also linked with some media outfits to further the reach of itsinformation drive.

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In monitoring the implementation of the MC 17, s. 2012, the CSC-RO1had also conducted an initial survey to determine the prevalence of smokingin government offices in the region. In the 190 offices (including DepEdschools) that were surveyed, 10% of the total number of employees claim to

be smokers. Interestingly, the survey also shows a decrease of 10.35% in thetotal number of smokers after implementing MC 17, 2. 2009 in theirrespective offices. Given some inevitable factors affecting the completenessof the survey, the results will be further processed by consulting a few of therespondents in order to identify the effectiveness of the said policy in fullyimplementing a 100% Smoke Free Civil Service.

The Red Orchid Award is conferred by the Department of Health togovernment offices which have successfully implemented a 100% Tobacco-Free environment based on the criteria, MPOWER initiative. MPOWER is anacronym for, (1) Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; (2) Protect

people from tobacco smoke; (3) Offer help to quit tobacco use; (4) Warnagainst the dangers of tobacco; (5) Enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and(6) Raise taxes on tobacco.

Region 1, which is widely known for its tobacco production, hasironically generated 7 Red Orchid Awardees out of the 8 nominatedgovernment agencies an indication that its local government units (LGUs)and government offices are dedicated in bringing about a 100% SmokeFreeenvironment despite some perceived pressures from the local industry.