A resolution requesting the City Mayor to look into the possibility of extending financial assistance through the Special Education Fund or general fund as contribution to the construction of six replacement classrooms at the Negros Occidental High School, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Homer Bais and co-authored by Councilors Caesar Distrito, Em Legaspi-Ang and El Cid Familiaran.

The recent demolition of classrooms of NOHS to give way to the construction by the Negros Occidental provincial government of a two-storey 24-classroom building has seriously placed students and teachers in jeopardy, as they are holding classes in sheds that are not conducive to learning, the resolution said.

It is of public knowledge that a significant number of students enrolled in NOHS are residents of Bacolod City and it is proper that the city should lend a helping hand, it said.

The construction of the six replacement classrooms by the provincial government has been delayed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's denial of a P10 million loan sought by Gov. Alfredo Marañon for that purpose.

Provincial capitol officials and private individuals have started a campaign to raise funds to build the classrooms.

Meanwhile, the SP approved on first reading Wednesday an ordinance prohibiting smoking in all public places, public utility vehicles and in all government institutions and schools within Bacolod City.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, aims to minimize cases of smoking related deaths and diseases in Bacolod by promoting proper health and sanitation, to protect the non-smoking citizens of the city from acquiring illnesses due to secondhand smoking.

It also aims to inform the residents of Bacolod City about the harmful effects and other health risks of smoking, to keep the youth away from cigarette smoking by prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors and to attain a clean and safer environment and Smoke Free Bacolod City in the year 2015.

The proposed ordinance also provides higher penalties which will discourage smokers from smoking indiscriminately and smoking areas, unlike the current city ordinance, were clearly defined.

It also mandates the creation of the Bacolod Anti Smoking Task Force, Distrito said.*CGS

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