For the second consecutive year, the CSC-Regional Office 1 has garnered anew the Red Orchid Award

for successfully implementing the guidelines set by CSC Memorandum Circular No. 17, s. 2009 and ensuring a 100% Tobacco-Free environment. The award was conferred to the CSC-RO1 during 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 on 100% Smoke Free Environment Policy is designed to promote safe and healthy government offices and their premises and to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke which can cause life-threatening diseases. The said policy enjoins the heads of government agencies to designate an implementation committee to ensure that the following strategies are enforced: raising the awareness of employees; conduct of survey on the smoking prevalence among employees; posting of No Smoking and/or Smoking 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 related policies to realize the objectives of MC 17. Having a zero number of smoker/s in its roster, the Office also imposes for its clients a No-Smoking policy in the office and its premises, including the parking spaces. No Smoking signages are also posted in conspicuous places. To intensify its information campaign, a No Smoking Corner has been institutionalized to provide related information materials such as leaflets, flyers and small posters. During inhouse trainings and seminars, the organizers (personnel from the Human Resource Division) allot 15-minute for a talk/orientation on the said policy. For the interested trainees, they may also request for copies (hard and electronic) of the information materials for dissemination/distribution in their respective agencies. CSC-RO1 has also established linkages with other agencies to strengthen its advocacy against smoking. The Office has partnered with the Department of Health-CHD 1 in the conduct of a series of orientation seminar on the RACE towards a Smoke-Free Civil Service. In fact, two (2) of such have been conducted: one on March 11, 2012 at CSC-RO1 Training Center and the other was on May 25, 2012 at Maxs Restaurant, both venues in San Fernando City, La Union. It was participated by more than 60 officials and employees from 24 government offices. The Office had also joined a Fun Run/Walk activity organized by the Department of Education-RO1 in celebration of the 2012 World No Tobacco Day. During the 111 th Philippine Civil Anniversary in 2011, the Office, itself, organized a Fun Run themed Takbo ng Kawani Laban sa Yosi, participated in by almost 300 officials and employees from more than 40 government offices/agencies in the region. The Office has also linked with some media outfits to further the reach of its information drive.

In monitoring the implementation of the MC 17, s. 2012, the CSC-RO1 had also conducted an initial survey to determine the prevalence of smoking in government offices in the region. In the 190 offices (including DepEd schools) 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 the total number of smokers after implementing MC 17, 2. 2009 in their respective offices. Given some inevitable factors affecting the completeness of the survey, the results will be further processed by consulting a few of the respondents in order to identify the effectiveness of the said policy in fully implementing a 100% Smoke Free Civil Service. The Red Orchid Award is conferred by the Department of Health to government offices which have successfully implemented a 100% TobaccoFree environment based on the criteria, MPOWER initiative. MPOWER is an acronym for, (1) Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; (2) Protect people from tobacco smoke; (3) Offer help to quit tobacco use; (4) Warn against 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, has ironically generated 7 Red Orchid Awardees out of the 8 nominated government agencies an indication that its local government units (LGUs) and government offices are dedicated in bringing about a 100% SmokeFree environment despite some perceived pressures from the local industry.