Issue No. 69 - March - April 2012 - DOH

HEALTHbeatDEPARTMENTOF HEALTH - National Center for Health Promotion2F Bldg. 18, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003, PhilippinesTel. No. (63-2) 743-8438 Email: healthbeat@ymail.comLegislators, Please...Legislators. They are the politicians elected by the people to write and pass laws thatwould commit to the common good. In a political system that recognizes the theory of theseparation of powers, legislators are different individuals from the members of the executiveand the judiciary.We are currently witnessing how the members of the House of Representatives file animpeachment suit against Chief Justice Renato Corona and how the members of the Senateserve as judges in the trial. If this political exercise has become a media spectacular whichhas turned into a soap opera or even a comedy of manners, we cannot put the blame onour legislators. Let us not forget that we live in a society with a culture that everything,including the impeachment trial, is “more fun in the Philippines!”Last February, Congressman Aurelio Gonzales Jr. has filed a House Resolution formalizing theappeal that seeks to put an end to the negative image of congressmen as seen in movies andtelevision shows. He said the bad portrayals have been unfair and have only tainted the names ofHouse members. Following this line, we can hope that legislators too would put a stop in showingtobacco use in all forms of media that would entice the youth to smoking.Legislations can reverse the tobacco epidemic. Aside from the ban on advertising, promotion andsponsorship of tobacco products, laws are also needed to effect smokefree public places to protectthe public from exposure to secondhand smoke; putting graphic health warnings on cigarettepacks to encourage smokers to quit; and taxation to increase the price of tobacco products.Taxation is the single most effective way to reduce tobacco consumption, that is why theDepartment of Health needs our legislators to pass House Bill No. 5727, penned by CaviteRepresentative Joseph Emilio Abaya. This is the most fitting among the 12 pending measures inCongress seeking to restructure the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products. It moves from amulti-tiered tax structure to a unitary tax system, indexes taxes to inflation and dedicates taxesto alternative livelihood for tobacco farmers and universal health coverage in PhilHealth and toenhance the nation’s health care system by upgrading government health facilities to providebetter health services.Honorable Legislators, please pass the necessary tobacco control laws that would protect thehealth of the youth and the majority of the population who are non-smokers. This common goodis in your hands!– The EditorsEditors-in ChiefManaging EditorStaff WritersCover DesignGraphics DesignPhotographerContributors(Words)CirculationEditorial BoardIvanhoe C. Escartin, MDRosemarie G. AguirreAnthony R. RodaMay Elenor R. de GuzmanDonato Dennis B. MagatElizabeth G. MascareňasAbigail Corpuz-QuetulioGlen S. RamosDiosdado G. Angeles, Jr.Joerem P. CeriaJacquelyn F. FelipePaquito P. RepelenteElizabeth Sumama, MDTato M. Usman, MDDOH-NCHPProduction, Disseminationand Collection SectionFOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE.Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the DOH. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturer’s products does not imply that they areendorsed or recommended by the DOH in preference to others of similar nature. Articles may be reproduced in full or in part without prior permission, provided credit is given to the DOH fororiginal pieces. A copy of the reprinted or adapted version will be appreciated. Articles, artworks, photographs, caricatures, letters and other contributions are most welcome. Materials willbe edited for clarity and space. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned. Contributors must indicate their names and addresses.4 HEALTHbeat I March - April 2012