Government Agencies Launch Campaign for Tobacco and Vape Control | San Fernando

Smoke-Free La Union Project expands enforcement technical support to 10 more towns.

Government agencies and local partners launched the third year of the Smoke-Free La Union Project on Oct. 13 in San Fernando City to strengthen tobacco and vape regulations across the province. The initiative aims to translate an approved work plan into local actions covering the September 2026 to August 2027 implementation period, the PIA reports.

Leading the effort are the Partnerships for Health, Agriculture, Nation-Building, and Socio-Economic Upliftment, Inc. (PNBI), the Provincial Government of La Union, and the Department of Health Ilocos Center for Health Development. This phase extends direct technical assistance to 10 remaining municipalities:

Bangar
Sudipen
Balaoan
Santol
Bagulin
Burgos
Tubao
Pugo
Santo Tomas
Rosario

Meanwhile, the local governments of Bacnotan, Agoo, and San Gabriel will serve as model partners, sharing enforcement practices with neighboring towns. Highlighting the initiative’s progress, La Union Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Herminigildo M. Velasco noted the ongoing unity among participating organizations.

“It is a significant achievement that we are still together. Crafting and molding the best plan of action, we can collaborate… every year we are together, inching our way towards a tobacco- and vape-free La Union,” Dr. Velasco said.

To address policy gaps, PNBI Executive Director Oscar F. Picazo explained that Year 3 will focus on mapping existing local ordinances to guide towns in drafting enforceable rules. Complementing this effort, Second District Board Member Ruperto “Jun” Rillera Jr. announced that the Committee on Health and Sanitation will hold a public hearing on Draft Provincial Ordinance No. 652-2026 on Oct. 21, 2026, to establish a unified regulation framework across all 20 component municipalities.

SOURCE: PIA