“HATAW” for a Tobacco – Free Generation in Bataan!

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Students from Municipalities of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Pilar and City of Balanga flocked to Vista Mall, Bataan to “Dance (Hataw) for a Tobacco – Free Generation (TFG)” on September 27. The event was held to show the full support of Bataaeños towards a healthy life by providing information on the bad effects of smoking. TFG aims that youths born from January 1, 2000 and beyond will pledge to “not smoke and be a good example to each and every one”.
Dr. Heng Nung Koong, founder of the TFG International, said that the TFG Community is growing rapidly and spreading words against the tobacco industry. Dr. Koong said that there is already a TFG Community in some parts of South Africa.
Governor Abet Garcia greeted all the guests and participants and underscored the importance of preventing the current and future generations to use tobacco products.
Bataan 2nd District Representative Joet Garcia congratulated the students because they committed to the TFG Advocacy. Also, Cong. Joet thanked the parents of the students for their guidance to their sons and daughters to be healthy. Lastly, he said that we will continue this kind of event next year and it will be bigger and better.
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones said that she is supporting the TFG campaign because of her faith, education and family experience, because her father died at the age of 53 because of smoking. Assistant Secretary Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema – Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer on the National Youth Commission (NYC) said that they will pass a resolution adapting the TFG Campaign Materials of Bataan and engaging the towns and provinces in the Philippines to follow what Bataan does to establish their own TFG Community.
Present also in the event are Vice Governor Chris Garcia, Mayor Jopet Inton of Hermosa, Mayor Gila Garcia of Dinalupihan, Mayor Efren Pascual of Orani, Mayor Alice Pizarro of Pilar, Mayor Francis Garcia of Balanga City, Bataan Schools Division Superintendent Mr. Jessie D. Ferrer, Under Secretaries Gerardo Bayugo and Rolando Domingo of the Department of Health, visitors from Johns Hopkins University, and our very own Bataan Risers Basketball Team headed by their Coach Jojo Latimosa.