Mayor Gila launches TFG Dinalupihan 2000

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – Almost ten thousand residents from all walks of life joined the local government unit (LGU) here headed by municipal mayor Maria Angela “Gila” Garcia in the Alay Lakad (walk-for-a-cause) that signaled the formal launching of the “Tobacco-Free Generation” (TFG-Dinalupihan 2000) at the Oval grounds.

The participants were composed of junior and senior high school students from public and private schools, teachers, civic organizations such as Dimalupig Lions Club and REACT; members of the press, the PNP, Philippine Army, DepEd, barangay officials from 46 villages and other LGU officials and employees namely vice mayor Renato Matawaran, councilor Emmanuel “Bitoy” Bajada and the rest of the municipal council members. Provincial Health Office chief, Dr. Rosanna Buccahan also joined the activity.

They walked the major streets of this first-class municipality followed by a grand Zumba dance to spread the word about the bad effects of cigarette smoking. “We, the millennium generation, joined this ‘Alay lakad for a Tobacco-Free Generation’ to pledge or commit ourselves that we will not smoke to stop or prevent diseases from smoking cigarettes,” Adeline Cordero, president of the Supreme Student Government of the Luacan National High School said.

In her brief speech, Mayor Garcia said that “in the whole world, the smoke-free ordinance is hardest to be implemented.” She added that the World Health Organization has recognized the TFG 2000 as one of the effective tools to help the youth to stay away or prevent them from smoking cigarettes.

“This is a pledge of those who were born from the year 2000 onwards. Ito po ay para sa mas malinis, mas malusog at mas magandang henerasyon hindi lamang dito sa ating bayan kundi sa buong bansa,” the lady mayor stressed.